Every parent wants the best for their kids and wants them to succeed in whatever path they follow. Many parents wonder how to raise smart kids who will live full and successful lives. While there is no single way of doing this, there are things parents can do, like providing the right environment. Here are some things that are supported by research and will help you raise smart kids.
Encourage Unstructured Play
Many parents underestimate how beneficial structured play can be for kids. Since they are naturally adventurous and curious, children learn a lot through unstructured play. It can also help with their cognitive, social, and emotional development.
Parents should let their kids dictate how they play and which activities they engage in. When play is child-led, it results in improved creativity, gives them a sense of responsibility, and builds different skills such as decision-making and problem-solving skills.
Unstructured playtime should be a time of no electronic devices so children can fully engage with the play and get the most out of it.
Provide Numerous Opportunities for Reading and Writing
Reading and writing are both key to helping children learn how to learn and seek information that makes them smarter. Both teach reasoning, creativity, research, communication, and a lot more that kids will benefit from in the future.
Parents should provide age-appropriate reading and writing materials so kids can learn these essential skills. For reading, there is an unless selection of paid and free books online that parents can purchase for their kids. They can then read with them before bedtime or set a reading schedule. The secondary benefit of this is parents getting opportunities to spend quality time with their children.
For writing, parents can buy writing worksheets that help their children work through a book project. For example, they can purchase 3rd grade writing worksheets for their children which help them with planning, brainstorming, and writing so they can learn to do all this from a young age.
Establish Strict Bedtime Routines
Sleep is crucial for children’s cognitive development, and there are studies showing a strong link between sleep and intelligence. Children who get the recommended hours of sleep every night perform better on tests, making sleep crucial for raising smart kids.
As a reference, middle and high school students should get eight to ten hours of sleep, elementary school children should get nine to twelve hours of sleep, and younger children should get ten to thirteen hours.
Let Them Exercise Their Brains
Different games that require a combination of skills have proven to be important for children’s intelligence. Age-appropriate games will stimulate their mind and help them learn new skills. Some examples of games parents should encourage their children to play include chess, checkers, puzzles, building blocks, board games, and jigsaw puzzles.
In addition to these physical games, parents should also encourage their kids to play video games designed to help them with their learning skills. While playing for many hours can have negative effects, playing the right games for the right amount of time can be hugely beneficial.
Enroll Them in a Music Program
Music calms our minds and can also help relieve stress. For young children, playing a musical instrument can help with their cognitive development, comprehension, and math skills. Also, learning to play and playing a musical instrument is a fun creative outlet for children in addition to the other benefits it has.
Have Family Dinners Often
Understandably, it can be difficult to have regular family dinners due to how busy our lives are. However, these dinners are important for various reasons and for the benefits they provide. Kids who eat regularly with their families have better self-esteem, better communication skills and are less likely to engage in risky behaviors when they grow up.
Get Them Moving
Exercise has a lot of benefits for kids that include cognitive and emotional benefits. Aerobic exercises have been shown to play a part in improving memory and helping us learn. They also help children retain information because children are more likely to listen and retain information once they stop playing.
In addition to encouraging children to take breaks throughout the day to play, parents should also help them find activities they like that help them exercise. Many children choose a sport in school, but encouraging older kids to join a sports club or group is also beneficial.
Parents should give their children every advantage they can so they can be successful in the future. One way of doing this is by providing an environment that leads to them being smarter. There is no right or wrong way of doing this, but the tips above should help.
