How to raise your child’s intelligence
Focus on the Family, September 30, 1999
In a study conducted at Harvard University, Dr. Burton White found that parents can do six things to raise the intelligence level of their child.
Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family also outlined these suggestions in his book The Strong-Willed Child.
- It is increasingly clear that the origins of human intelligence are found in a critical period of development between eight and eighteen months of age. The child’s experiences during these months do more to influence future intellectual competence than any time before or after.
- The single most important environmental factor in the life of the child is his mother – she has more influence on her child’s experiences than any other person or circumstance.
- The amount of life language directed to a child (not to be confused with television, radio or overheard conversations) is vital to his development of fundamental linguistic, intellectual and social skills. The researchers concluded that a rich social life for a 12- to 15-month-old child is the best thing a parent can provide to guarantee a good mind.
- Children who are given free access to living areas of their homes progress much faster than those whose movements are restricted.
- The nuclear family is the most important educational delivery system. If we are going to produce capable, healthy children, it will be by strengthening family units and by improving the interactions that occur within them.
- The best parents excel at three key functions:
- They are superb designers and organizers of their children’s environments.
- They permit their children to interrupt them for brief 30-second episodes, during which personal consultation, comfort, information and enthusiasm are exchanged.
- They are firm disciplinarians while simultaneously showing great affection for their children.