Intelligence quotient (I.Q) is a globally accepted score, or standard showing the person’s ability to understand the world. However, in short, I.Q is the way people perceive the world based on their understanding of the subject, backed by their information and knowledge gained through communication – reading, talking, and writing – and through observing.
Raising smarter children is, perhaps, the concern all parents are living with. With an ever-competitive and an ever-evolving world, parents want their child to know the world and the way to live in it; thereby using their own intellect and wisdom to take necessary decisions at the right time to lead a successful life.
Often times, parents do not realize the need to raise kids with a higher I.Q or with a mind that can decipher signs to make a worthwhile meaning out of it. While, most parents are willing to make their children an example for others- enthusiastically making an effort to teach their children whatever they know. However, much more has to be done to broaden the child’s mental horizon. This article will look at ways through which parents can raise their child’s I.Q level.
Conversation
Parents often believe that talking about everything with their children is not appropriate. However, any time is a good time to converse with your child about topics and issues of life you think are important, or which will affect your child in the future. Talking with children from an age when they understand words and simple concepts of life will build their vocabulary, help them talk better, and realize the world they live in. For instance, when the child is three to four years old you should talk to the child about cleanliness, about wearing neat clothes, about going early to bed, about the moon, the sun, and the stars. However, this conversation should be as simple as ABC, thereby telling the children what you mean without you sounding too mature for them to understand your content.
Children become confident when parents talk to them. Since, children reply to this conversation- they use their mind to think of answers, and use observation to know more about what to add to the conversation. Have you ever wondered why children living in a joint family system are more confident? It is because of too many people (apart from their parents and siblings) are talking to them every day. Talk to your child as if you are talking to an adult but in a simple language. It is the parent’s words, which creates a child’s personality.
Read with them, read to them
Reading, among all modes of communication, is by far the most important tool in making your child confident and intelligent. Colorful books with illustrations and lots of information, stories, facts, and comics, give a child the sense to see things, learn, and implement in life. Helping your child develop a reading habit is a gift the child will treasure for life. Sit with your child for half an hour or an hour – depending on your availability and the child’s mood – and read to them, or read them books they are fond of; Asking them questions on your own- as you read to them- will also help the child in thinking out of the box. All bookstores have a children’s section. You can buy books covering all genres and topics, in all sizes for your child so they can read, learn, and accumulate information in their mind that will help them as they grow up. For toddlers, books about shapes, colors, sizes, alphabets, things, and other concept books a must-read by parents.
Memory Test
Having a good memory is also imperative for having a strong I.Q. When reading books to your child, ask questions from the content they have read the same day, or a few days later, to check how much your child has retained in mind. Some children take time recollecting memories from the past, while others talk to their parents about the past on their own. Do not worry if the child has trouble memorizing things as a memory, like a language and writing, develops on its own.
Never get angry
Children have a weird temper. They have their moods, and you cannot change them. Do not get angry if the child is not focusing on a task. Give the child time to adjust, or use a different strategy. Lure them in studying, playing, or talking by giving them an incentive of a chocolate or taking them out for a walk once they finish the talk. Never get angry with them, or they will lose the motivation to learn.
Math and numbers
When talking to your child in everyday conversation, build the child’s mathematical and numerical skills. This may increase the I.Q- since every part of life has mathematics and numbers involved in it. Teach the child numbers from 1 to 100, or when playing with them ask them the number of toys they have. Moreover, make the child learn to read and tell time since it is all numbers-based.
Train the mind
The child’s mind needs a parent’s constant nurturing, and the best way after reading to them is to make them play with block toys. Lego is perhaps the best toy available. It gives children an opportunity to use their creative skills and imagination to build anything they want. Let the child build whatever comes to mind for its makes the child confident.
Never criticize
Criticism and disapproval kill the inside of a child. Even a child has built a strange object with Lego, or has drawn doodles on paper that makes no sense, always encourage them and motivate them and appreciate their efforts. This is the only way to make them believe in themselves. Self-belief is the only way any child can attain greatness in life and parents are the ones who can introduce this in their child.
Let them do it!
Often parents want to complete their child’s entire task. When the child is able to walk, hold things, and have understood basic concepts of life- let them complete simple tasks. These include tying shoelaces, putting toys in one place, putting up shirt buttons, wearing socks, combing their hair, drinking water from the glass, drawing, climbing up and down on a bed, or sofa, and so on. Giving the child the room to complete tasks, and appreciating once done, will be a morale booster.
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