7 Things to do to Make Your Kids Smarter
Raising a child who is curious, resilient, and intellectually sharp is less about brain-training apps and more about the environment you build at home. Developmental experts suggest that cognitive growth is rooted in emotional security and high-quality engagement.
Here are seven evidence-based strategies to help your child reach their full intellectual potential.
Prioritise interactive reading
It isn’t just about reading to your child; it’s about reading with them. This is known as dialogic reading. Ask open-ended questions like why they think a character did something, or the thought process
The Commission on Reading notes that reading is the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading.
By turning a story into a conversation, you engage the brain’s verbal and analytical centres simultaneously.
Encourage deep play
Unstructured free play is often mistaken for idle time, but it is actually a workout for the prefrontal cortex.
According to Dr. Sergio Pellis, a researcher at the University of Lethbridge, “The experience of play changes the connections of the neurons at the front end of the brain.”
These changes help develop the executive functions, like emotional regulation and problem-solving, that are far more predictive of academic success than early memorisation.
Focus on growth mindset praise
How you praise your child changes how they think. Stanford psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck famously pioneered the concept of the growth mindset. Instead of calling a child smart (which can make them afraid of failure), praise their effort and process.
Say, “I can see how hard you worked on that puzzle.”
Children who believe intelligence can be developed through hard work are more likely to tackle difficult challenges.
Foster early musical training
Learning an instrument does more than create a hobby; it creates a more connected brain.
Dr. Sylvain Moreno of the Rotman Research Institute found that just 20 days of music-based cognitive training produced significant improvements in children’s verbal intelligence and executive function.
Music requires the brain to process pitch, timing, and emotional expression all at once, which strengthens the bridge between the two hemispheres.
Sleep as a cognitive tool
A tired brain cannot learn. Research has shown that a loss of just one hour of sleep can turn the cognitive performance of a sixth-grader into that of a fourth-grader.
“A slightly sleepy sixth-grader will perform like a fourth-grader,” says Dr. Avi Sadeh of Tel Aviv University.
Sleep is the time when the brain consolidates memories and cleans itself of metabolic waste, making it ready for a new day of learning.
Introduce second language exposure
The bilingual advantage is a well-documented phenomenon. Children exposed to a second language early on develop a better switching mechanism in the brain. This allows them to focus more intensely on relevant information while filtering out distractions.
Teach physical exercise as brain fuel
Physical activity isn’t just for the body; it’s for the mind. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain and triggers the release of BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor), a protein for brain cells.
Dr. John Ratey, a Harvard psychiatrist, explains that exercise “provides the best nutrients to stimulate the brain to grow and learn.”
When you prioritise sleep, encourage messy play, and praise the effort rather than the result, you are way ahead of the curve. You are raising a lifelong learner, a winner.
Intelligence is a living, breathing capacity that expands when nurtured with curiosity and care. Start with one of these steps today, and watch how your child’s world opens up.
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