Five Simple Steps to Raising Your Child's IQ

In this highly competitive age, parents are increasingly concerned with having a smart child-one with a high IQ. Kindergarten has become what first grade was in the past, and parents are lining up at some prestigious preschools when their children are only babies, to make sure their child is on the waiting list. This is not to mention the pressure on high school students to get into the right college with a scholarship in hand.

If you are a new parent, you will probably want to do all you can to raise an intelligent child-one who loves to learn. Here are some simple things you can do to raise your child's IQ that do not involve pricey preschools or daily flashcard drills:

1. Read to your child. You have probably heard this a million times, but reading to your child is so foundational in establishing early literacy. Make your home a home that is filled with good books. Create a routine before bedtime or in the middle of the day that involves your child selecting a number of books for you to read. Do not just read the books-talk about what you have read, and discuss the characters in the story and why they acted and reacted the way they did. Make reading fun for your child/children, and they will become readers themselves.

2. Participate in early musical training. Even when your child is a baby, listening to classical music can help him or her develop a greater appreciation for well-written music. Studies have shown that introducing formal musical training (instrument lessons or music classes) at the age of four years will help a child's brain development, particularly in the areas of mathematics and science.

3. Limit television viewing. There are a lot of great educational shows out there, but unfortunately, watching television does not compare to the learning gained through play. It is easy as a parent to just turn on the TV so that you can get things done, but it does not help your child to develop his/her mind or imagination. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no television for children under two years of age.

4. Encourage unstructured play times. Let your child develop his imagination and creativity by giving him or her the opportunity to play with classic toys. Pretending with cars or dolls or forts under the table allows your child's mind to grow and flourish.

5. Spend time with your child. Your child learns just from watching you perform simple tasks or doing these jobs with you. When you let your child help you cook, he/she is learning about measurements and chemistry. You are your child's most important teacher.