How to improve your child’s intelligence (Table of Contents)

• Make sure they complete homework consistently and on time
• Motivation
• Reading
• Intellectually stimulating talk
• Independence
• Follow-up, monitor & provide feedback on school work
• Customize learning approach
• Diet, rest & exercise

A child’s mental development should be taken very seriously. In fact, it’s more important to get it right in the early stages than later in life. This is because a child’s brain is working overtime in the early years to prepare them for life. There will never be another time in their lives when they are more curious and receptive to basic fundamentals while learning. As a parent or caretaker of a child this time window provides a golden opportunity to bring out the very best they have to offer.

As a professor, mentor and life coach, I’ve worked with hundreds of students at all levels of learning. It was always obvious to me which students had parents who actively supported their growth and development. You could see it in the way they went about learning and grasping information. It really does make a difference when parent’s are intentional about their child’s learning and development.

The following 8 tips are personal to me and represent what I believe to be powerful influencers regarding a child’s learning. 

Make sure homework is done consistently and on time

I consider homework to be one of the earliest jobs we have. It requires attention to detail and has deadlines. It’s definitely something that must be developed no different from an occupational work ethic. Training your child to execute homework tasks responsibly will condition them to act in an orderly way. Regardless of how smart your child may be, without the proper structure to support their intelligence it won’t matter all that much. Homework exposes children to material that cements what teachers are trying to teach them in school. They must understand that although it might feel inconvenient at times, in the end it’s all about making them better. You want to discourage the notion that homework is some type of punishment. Such beliefs will only lead them to rebel in school and ultimately impact their learning in a negative way. 

Motivation

Research shows that when parents encourage and support their child’s learning it makes all the difference. Parent’s shape a child’s attitude torwards learning, like pretty much everything else. If you make a child feel good about something they are doing, they will be more likely to actively engage. Rewards are a good idea when it comes to motivating your child academically. Make sure your rewards are proportionate to the accomplishment, and not too often to where they lose impact.

Build your kid to become a reader

Books are a great way to expand your child’s horizons and expose them to different viewpoints and ideas. If you yourself like to read be sure that your child gets to observe you doing so. Preferably in a nice cozy setting during your downtime. Show them that it’s okay to read sometimes instead of watching television or surfing the well. They will notice.

Engage in intellectual talk

It’s never too early to speak to your child in a mature fashion. By mature I don’t mean vulgar, but rather as though you were discussing a matter with a colleague at work. The brain is a wonderful tool, so when you introduce new and expansive words and concepts they will no doubt latch on and take flight. This will also prepare them to better interact with the world and articulate problems they might experience away from home while at school.

Independence

By providing your child a limited amount of independence you are teaching them how to make decisions on their own. This will weigh in their favor when doing school work, interacting with friends and other school activities. See suggestions below:

• Set their own schedule for cleaning their room
• Providing a feedback report each day/week of what transpired at school
• Allow them to assist with dinner preparations (give them their own task to complete)
• Allow them to check the mailbox (only if it’s safe)
• Allow them to articulate their concerns at doctor’s appointments 

Follow-up, monitor & provide feedback on school work

When your child understands that there is always someone watching it will kickstart them into gear as far as consistency is concerned. As for feedback, it’s important that you speak in a balanced tone, never too loud or harsh. Show them that corrective measures don’t have to hurt or feel bad. Make sure that they understand that feedback is not a punishment, but rather a tool to help them improve. This will not only help with school work but life in general.

Customized approach

No one person is created the same. At conception a DNA code specific to your child, that has never existed or will exist again, was created. The one size fits all method is perhaps the most counterproductive when it comes to learning. Take time to see what things work for your child. Maybe they don’t like to read but they love to listen. Perhaps audiobooks over regular books can be your approach. You can then gently push them in the direction of reading over time. Ultimately you want to put them in the very best position to learn and grow. Don’t be afraid to ask your child what they like most and least about school, and from there act accordingly.

Diet, rest & exercise

Research shows that a lack of rest and a poor diet can impact the brain’s ability to think critically. When a person is tired it’s impossible for them to focus and remain concentrated long enough to retain any worthwhile information. Make sure your child consumes balanced meals throughout the day, with as little sugar as possible. This will not only boost their academic performance but serve as a good life lesson as well. One that they will carry with them into adulthood. The same can be said about rest and exercise. Train your child in the way they will go. You’ll notice that everything that is good for their learning now, will be good for their lives forever.

Your child’s growth and development is worth all the effort you will ultimately put into it. As a parent it is important that you fully appreciate the impact that you can have over them. It’s not just the school’s job to develop their learning, it takes a village. What’s done at home will impact what happens at school, whether good or bad. Please keep that in mind. Good luck!

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