A child’s success is not entirely dependent on inherited IQ. In fact, this factor only accounts for about 40% of the total, while the remaining 60% is attributed to daily practice and upbringing.
Thus, to enhance a child’s IQ, parents need to invest time and effort into their nurturing.
Longitudinal research from American experts on preschool children indicates that the period from 0-5 years old is the golden time for a child’s intellectual development.
During this time, applying appropriate methods to enhance a child’s intelligence can lead to remarkable results. This proves that the first five years are crucial for a child’s growth.
Children with superior intelligence and high IQs during these formative years often exhibit certain distinct characteristics.
According to a study conducted on over 1,000 children in a year by Harvard University experts, children with high IQs tend to share commonalities in the following four daily habits.
The First Five Years: A Critical Period for Brain Development
Curiosity and Inquisitiveness
Some children are naturally curious and ask questions incessantly, seeking answers to everything around them. This not only aids in language development but also stimulates their thinking and creativity. Scientific research reveals that before turning two, children learn an average of 81 new words per day.
As they transition into their terrible twos, their language skills and powers of observation experience a boom. This curiosity and constant questioning are positive signs of brain development, fostering habits of thinking and creativity.
Not content with simple answers, many children seek more detailed explanations, indicating their active brains and keen observation of their surroundings.
The period from ages three to six is the pinnacle of brain development. Children with high IQs typically exhibit superior curiosity and a drive to explore.
Ages 3 to 6: The Apex of Brain Development
Love for Reading
Experts suggest that intelligent children often develop a reading habit at an early age. Reading stimulates a child’s brain to develop an unlimited cycle of knowledge acquisition and processing, enhancing their understanding, vocabulary, thinking skills, expression, and imagination.
Research from the Reading and Literacy Discovery Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital (Ohio, USA) revealed distinct differences in the brains of children who favor reading over watching TV or using mobile phones. Brain images of avid readers displayed an increase in white matter—the substance responsible for language skills and reading comprehension.
In contrast, children who spent excessive time in front of screens exhibited disorganized white matter development, negatively impacting their learning abilities. White matter plays a crucial role in transmitting information between different brain regions, contributing to various functions and learning capabilities.
If this transmission system is underdeveloped, the brain processes information more slowly, hindering the learning process. Hence, reading during a child’s early years is of paramount importance.
Early Reading Habits: Nurturing Young, Brilliant Minds
Focus and Concentration
Many parents may notice that when their children are deeply engaged in an activity, they might not respond immediately when called. For instance, a child engrossed in playing with building blocks may not react to their name being called repeatedly, only responding reluctantly when the volume increases. While this may seem like a memory lapse, it actually signifies intense focus on the task at hand.
While the capacity for concentration is innate, the degree varies among children. Some may have weaker focus, while others excel in this area. Children with strong concentration often become so engrossed in their activities that they seem to tune out their surroundings.
Healthy Sleep Habits
Studies have shown that children who enjoy restful sleep and maintain good sleeping habits tend to have more energy and advanced brain development compared to their peers.
Sleep is not merely a time for physical rest; it also promotes holistic development, encompassing both physical and mental aspects. During deep sleep, the body produces approximately 70% of growth hormones, which play a pivotal role in this process.
A survey by the American Academy of Pediatrics revealed that during deep sleep, the rate of brain development doubles compared to when a child is awake, and the level of growth hormones triples.
Conversely, insufficient sleep or late bedtimes result in decreased growth hormone levels, negatively impacting brain development and height. Research from the UK also confirms that prolonged poor sleep quality can impair a child’s reflexes, reading comprehension, and mathematical abilities.
In summary, sleep directly influences a child’s well-being and brain development. Therefore, parents should establish healthy sleep habits for their children from an early age to promote their overall health and intelligence.
3 Signs Your Baby is a Genius in the Making
Parents always wish for their children to be intelligent and quick-witted. But did you know that even from a young age, infants can display signs of exceptional intelligence? Uncover these three unique behaviors and see if your little one possesses them!
The Child Prodigy: 3 Signs Your Child Has a Super Memory and Will Excel at School
Children with good memories tend to have a greater capacity for quick information absorption, which is instrumental in the learning process.
“The Eyes Have It: Unlocking the Secrets of Intelligence in Children”
A study published in the journal Cognition revealed that individuals with larger pupils exhibit higher IQ scores.
“The Child Prodigies”: Unveiling the 3 Common Traits of Young Geniuses
Initial research indicates that children who exhibit the following three distinct traits tend to have an advantage when it comes to IQ.
Nurturing a “Runner” Instead of a “Crawler”: Unveiling the 3 Distinct Differences as They Grow
The ability to crawl efficiently brings about numerous benefits for babies, particularly in aiding their brain development.
