7
New Learning Discoveries To Raise A Smarter Child
If you're serious about
wanting a smarter child in brain, body
and spirit, here are 7 new learning discoveries to give your
child an advantage in school, home and life.
1.There Is More To Smart Than A High I.Q.
I.Q. scores are very limited and frequently used to measure a
gap between learning potential and actual performance in school,
so I.Q. cannot possibly be the only hallmark of your child's
learning ability.
I show kids how to learn and succeed in school, but never advise
that you pressure your child for A's so much that they become
anxious and unhappy.
Your child has many talents that make him or her very unique.
Nourish each of these if you want a smarter, more well rounded
child, and you just may find you have the next Pavarotti on your
hands.
2.Give Your Child's Brain A Big Boost With These Fats
The World Health Organization and respected medical journals
have proven that omega 3 fats like DHA and ARA (such as those
found in fish oil) can give your child's brain just the boost it
needs for learning, faster thinking and better memory. One study
even shows that Omega 3's can reduce or eliminate ADD/ADHD
symptoms.
Omega 3's have close to a thousand other health benefits so many
doctors now recommend taking them in supplement form. (Ask your
doctor before taking any supplements).
Check the quality of omega 3 supplements because some are
contaminated with toxins like mercury. Toxins can be safely
removed but not all brands do this.
One Omega 3 supplement my family takes comes from Norway and is
on our site at HowToLearn.com/omega3.html. It is certified
number one in safety and quality by the organization with the
most stringent safety standards in the world.
3.Music Can Make Your Child Smarter
Controversy aside, new research on "The Mozart Effect", says it
has a molecular basis in the brain and improves spatial
abilities. Your child uses spatial abilities in subjects like
math and science. Several studies show higher I.Q. scores after
listening to certain Mozart selections too. Do yourself a favor
and type in "The Mozart Effect" in Google for more information.
4.Nature Does Not Always Have The Last Word In Your Child's
Learning and Brain Power
The nature vs. nurture debate. Some think that nature and
genetics are the most important factors in how "smart" your
child is, but newer research says nurture and environment can
actually play a bigger role.
Did you know that hugging and kissing your child can actually
enhance learning by increasing a fatty substance covering the
nerves? Medically, this translates into faster thinking and
better motor control.
I have a personal confession that shows you can nurture your
child into learning to be smarter in a certain subject area.
My high school math teacher told me I was "dumb" and would never
understand math. I was determined that my own children would
never have to suffer over math the way I did.
From birth on, I told them how brilliant they were in math. My
son graduated from college and doesn't need math in his
profession; however, my daughter actually used her advanced math
skills in medical school, and fulfilled her lifelong dream of
becoming a pediatrician.
Even though she was born very prematurely, which normally
affects the brain and those quirky I.Q. scores, my daughter won
advanced placement math contests with her high school
classmates. So much for genetics. I'll opt for nurture and
learning every time.
5.Parents Influence Their Child's Character, Attitude and
Behavior
During the first five years of your child's life, doctors,
parent experts and child psychologists say that you are the
primary person who helps shape your child's character, attitude
and behavior.
However, unless you find out all you can about good parenting,
you're likely to recreate your own childhood. This does not mean
your childhood was bad, it simply means you have the ability to
give your child better than the best and make your child smarter
with a little extra effort.
Children model what they see, so giving them unconditional love,
advice, instruction and specific ways to make tough choices when
they need to, will do more for their character, behavior and
attitude than any other thing you can do. My favorite book on
this subject is Have A New Kid By Friday by Dr. Kevin Leman.
In 1997, I wrote a book called, What's Food Got To Do With It?
101 Natural Remedies For Learning Disabilities. Medical science
has proven beyond a doubt that there is a strong connection
between food and learning.
As you're grocery shopping, consider some of these facts:
The CDC states we have an obesity and Type II diabetes epidemic.
Diet can often prevent both of these. The smarter child tip:
keep your home filled with healthy foods, fruits, veggies and as
many organic proteins as you can.
Want a smarter test taker? Eat protein before the test, not
snacks to get a sugar high. Protein will stabilize blood sugar
levels and improve learning, focus and memory.
The bottom line - food impacts your child's learning ability and
behavior. Show that you care for your child's health and
learning by reading more and asking your doctor what is healthy
and what is not.
7.Belief In A Higher Power Can Make A Child Smarter Too
Kids who believe strongly in a higher power are more likely to
make smarter choices. Their belief in a 'higher power' can be
the conscience that helps them understand every action has a
consequence. You may want to look into programs that instruct
your child about God, spirituality or a higher power because it
can help them behave with more integrity and act in a kinder,
more loving way.
