Harvard University conducted a 75-year-long study to identify family life factors that influence children’s intelligence. The study followed the development of participating children and yielded surprising conclusions.
Experts affirm a strong connection between children’s intelligence and parental behavior. Many parents have high expectations for their children but are unaware that their seemingly harmless actions can lower their child’s IQ.
Below are four behaviors that Harvard University experts have pointed out:
Labeling Your Child Negatively
In daily life, many parents unintentionally utter hurtful words to their children. How often do parents see something they don’t like and immediately accuse their child with negative words like “naughty,” “troublesome,” or “spoiled?” They may even compare their child to others.
In reality, even though parents’ words may not carry malicious intent, they can significantly impact a child’s psychology. Hearing negative labels from parents can make children feel inferior to others, leading to a lack of confidence and shyness. Therefore, as parents, we should constantly encourage and support our children, refraining from using negative labels or comparing them to others. Parents should trust in their children’s abilities and not arbitrarily assign negative labels.
In daily life, many parents utter hurtful words that can affect their children
Denying Children Playtime
For children, play is the most effective learning method, facilitating their rapid and holistic development. Through appropriate play activities, children can enhance their concentration and social skills. Therefore, parents should provide a conducive environment and reasonable playtime for their children.
However, many parents today restrict their children’s playtime, even confining them to small spaces and demanding they devote all their time to studying. How can a child develop comprehensively without play and the opportunity to hone social skills in a broader environment? According to experts, this is also one of the reasons many children today experience psychological issues when they enter middle and high school.
Play is the best way for children to learn and develop comprehensively
Interrupting Your Child Frequently
A common behavior that many parents unintentionally exhibit is interrupting their children, which can impact their intellectual development. During interactions, some parents frequently interrupt or lack patience to listen to their children. According to Harvard experts, these behaviors can negatively affect children.
When parents constantly interrupt, children lose interest in communication and gradually become shy and withdrawn because they feel unheard. Consequently, the relationship between parents and children is severely affected, and the child’s ability to absorb information diminishes.
Moreover, interrupting children while they are studying can impair their thinking and concentration, leading to poor academic performance. Therefore, parents should take the time to listen and respect their children’s opinions, which will help them understand their children better and boost their confidence in expressing their views.
Interrupting your child frequently can impact their development
Suppressing Your Child’s Emotions
A fourth behavior that parents may unintentionally engage in is overly suppressing their children’s emotions, which can have negative consequences. Not allowing children to express their emotions can adversely affect their psychology. When negative emotions are suppressed over time, children may become sullen and stubborn, impacting their brain development and cognition.
Therefore, parents should support their children in recognizing, expressing, and managing their emotions healthily.
“The Magic Trick to Raising Well-Behaved Kids: A Parent’s Guide to a Calmer, Happier Home”
Do you want your child to own up to their mistakes and learn from them without you having to raise your voice? This article will reveal effective strategies to foster a more obedient and understanding child.
“10 Minutes a Day to a Lifetime of Gratitude: Nurturing Your Child’s Intelligence”
Many parents are so caught up in spending money on their children that they forget the little things that matter. It’s these small yet meaningful gestures that can make a huge difference in a child’s life, and they don’t have to cost a fortune or take up a lot of time.
5 Golden Rules for Parents to ‘Tame’ a Misbehaving Child with Love and Effectiveness
Parents can certainly “mould” their children to be better behaved with these five golden secrets shared in this article.
“3 Types of Parenting Styles That May Lead to Unfilial Children: A Warning for Families”
Many parents complain that their children do not reciprocate their love, and it is often due to a smothering form of affection. This overbearing approach can be counterproductive, pushing children away instead of fostering a healthy, loving relationship. It is essential for parents to understand that while their love for their children may be overwhelming, it must be expressed in a manner that allows their children to thrive and develop their own sense of self. A delicate balance must be struck between providing unconditional love and giving children the space to grow and explore their independence.
The Five Parenting Pointers to “Remember” When Raising Children
Children are a reflection of their parents; their words and actions are a testament to the values instilled by their caregivers. It is imperative for parents to lead by example and be mindful of the impact they have on their children’s lives.
