Will he be a doctor or a politician? Will she be a scientist or the first female president? Putting your kid on a path to any of these possibilities starts with creating an environment that nurtures his intellectual development. Here are five brain building strategies that will help your kid develop a strong mind:
1. Healthy Body = Healthy Mind. As a child grows adequate nutrition is needed for the brain to fully develop and function. Foods to include in your child’s diet include eggs, fruits, fish and vegetables which contain the brain health-supporting nutrients choline, B-vitamins, omegas and antioxidants. When feeding your child fish, or if eating it while pregnant, be sure to select low-mercury fish like tilapia and salmon.
2. Read. Without question reading to children and encouraging children to read on their own helps them to build their vocabulary and learn language skills. Also, many children’s books have story lines that help children develop critical thinking and social interaction skills.
3. Playtime. It’s more than just horsing around! Unstructured play helps children to stretch their imagination, become aware of other’s feelings, and engage in regular and enjoyable physical activity. As children get older, they also gain valuable friendships through play. Additionally, a study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that children are better behaved when they have play breaks during the day.
4. Time to Talk. Did you know that the number of words you speak to your child can boost his brain power? Researchers Hart and Risley’s work and book Meaningful Differences in the Everyday Experience of Young American Children found that children who heard more words by age 3 years had higher IQs and better academic performance than their peers.
5. Mindful Role Model. Remember, home is the first classroom and your child is learning from your actions. When your child sees you reading he is more likely to pick up a book. When you daughter sees you enjoying art or music, she is more likely to engage in those activities. If your child hears you using certain words, he or she is also likely to speak those same words.
From allowing your child to play regularly to varying his diet with nutritious brain supporting foods, there are a lot of effortless actions that will help you raise a smart kid. Here’s to the next generation’s brain power!
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