Five Ways To Make Your Child Smarter

Forget classical music and sophisticated toys, the most important tool in your young child's development is you. Here are five things you can do to encourage cognitive development.

Talk to Your Child.

Whether he's an infant or a toddler, your conversation is the key to recognizing patterns in language and ultimately words and meaning. Describe the activities you're engaged in. Tell a story or recite a poem. Your conversation is helping baby understand language and develop his memory.

Read To Your Child.

Though it's counter-intuitive for adults, reading the same story again and again is a powerful learning tool for children. Babies as young as nine months can learn to recognize the patterns of words and images in a story when it is read repeatedly. Take the time to point out different elements of the picture to your toddler. This technique helps your child link words with objects and acquire additional language.

Sing to Your Child.

Singing to your child as you go about your daily activities not only soothes your baby, some research suggests that it may help your child learn math later in life. As a toddler, repetitive singing helps your child develop memory. Plus, it's sure to inspire giggles.

Play with Your Child.

Play peek-a-boo with your infant. Play hide and seek with your toddler. Get down on the floor and crawl around the house together. Lay on your back and let your toddler use you as a personal jungle gym. Not only is this amazing bonding time, you'll help your child improve motor skills and problem solving skills.

Love Your Child.

Cuddles, hugs and kisses are the foundation for the safe, loving environment, which frees baby to learn. Gaze lovingly at your newborn when her eyes are open, she'll start her lifelong memory skills by trying to remember and recognize your face. When she's a toddler, she'll need your loving reassurance every now and then while she's off exploring the world.