A recent study has revealed that the time parents spend with their children has a significant impact on brain development. When parents are present and engaged in activities with their children, such as reading, playing games, or simply conversing, their children’s brains are stimulated and develop robustly. Therefore, there are four essential areas that parents should focus on or engage in with their children to enhance the effectiveness of their education.
Maintain a Consistent Sleep Schedule
Ensuring that children get enough sleep is crucial. Sleep helps recharge our bodies and minds, impacting their learning abilities, moods, and overall health. Firstly, parents should establish a healthy and consistent sleep routine for the entire family. Many parents tend to stay up late to finish work or relax, unintentionally setting a bad example for their children, who may follow suit.
To prepare for the new school year and optimize learning efficiency, parents should pay close attention to their children’s sleep schedules during this period. Maintaining a consistent bedtime routine, such as turning off the lights at 10 pm, waking up no later than 7 am, and including a reasonable nap time, will help children maintain a stable circadian rhythm. Consistent sleep patterns enhance children’s moods, improve their focus, and boost their academic performance.
Additionally, parents should be vigilant about their children sneaking screen time or reading comics late at night. Before bedtime, ensure that all electronic devices are put away, and create a calm and comfortable environment for your child to sleep in.
Encourage Physical Activity
According to Dr. Wendy A. Suzuki of the Center for Neural Science at New York University, physical exercise can increase neurotransmitter levels, making us happier and changing our brains’ anatomical, physiological, and functional structures. For instance, exercise can stimulate the production of new brain cells in the hippocampus.
Additionally, physical activity can modify the prefrontal cortex and improve concentration. Therefore, parents should emphasize and encourage their children to engage in daily physical activities.
Swimming, running, badminton, table tennis, basketball, and soccer are excellent forms of exercise. The more children move, the healthier, smarter, and more energetic they become. Moreover, summer is the perfect time to focus on height development. Taking advantage of the summer break can positively impact a child’s growth.
From now on, parents should pay close attention to their children’s physical activity levels.
Maintain Information Intake
Children need to maintain a healthy information intake to stimulate their brain’s neural pathways. For example, reducing screen time on mobile devices and replacing it with reading books or watching documentaries can enrich their knowledge and broaden their perspectives.
If you usually don’t have time to study during the school year, summer vacation is the perfect time to catch up on reading. Parents should lead by example and show their children the benefits of reading.
It’s important to note that parents should limit their children’s exposure to shallow online articles and books. Instead, encourage your children to explore history, science, nature, and renowned literary works that offer depth and substance.
Children need to maintain a healthy information intake to stimulate their brain’s neural pathways.
Enhance Daily Life Experiences
Children who have a wealth of experiences tend to think more profoundly and eruditely. Enriching experiences broaden their horizons and shape their values and outlook on life.
If possible, parents should take their children on trips to explore new places and meet new people. Traveling is not just about admiring scenic views but also about learning and gaining new experiences. During these journeys, children can acquire knowledge, encounter diverse cultures and customs, and develop a deeper understanding of the world and themselves.
Children with diverse experiences tend to exhibit deeper and more profound thinking.
In addition to traveling, parents can also take their children to museums to learn about history, culture, and customs. Exposing children to cultural heritage fosters a sense of pride in their cultural identity and respect for other cultures.
If given the opportunity, parents can take their children to their workplaces to show them the difference between their imagined and actual work. This experience will help children understand the hard work and challenges their parents face in earning a living.
Children’s development is multifaceted, and by exposing them to diverse experiences and knowledge, we open their minds to new possibilities. Moreover, they will learn to adapt to different situations, fostering confidence and independence as they grow up.
