WE ALL want our kids to be intelligent - not geniuses, but bright enough to do well at school and thrive later in life.
To a certain extent (about 50%) the level of your son or daughter's intelligence is determined by their genes.
But the other 50% is, rather frighteningly down to you.
Here is the scientific bit. Your baby is born with all the nerve cells he or she will ever possess.
These cells are like a mass of unconnected electrical wires and from the moment he is born, his brain will constantly try to connect the wires.
These connections determine his sight, language, curiosity, intelligence and sociability, and are mostly formed during his first three years.
The good news is that you don't have to be a neuroscientist to help his brain develop. In fact, the most important things you can do are to hold, play with, talk, read to and feed your child properly. The following are top brain-boosting tips.
Diet and nutrition are vital for a baby's developing brain. And the importance of Omega-3 oil has been proven in various studies. Omega-3 provides natural building blocks for brain development,' says child development expert Dr Carol Cooper. "Brain cells are made up of DHA - an omega-3 fatty acid, which we need to ensure is a regular part of a child's diet."
Research shows that unborn babies can hear clearly at 20 weeks of pregnancy and will remember the music you played until they're one-year-old. Which genre should you choose? Anything their mum likes is best, though bass frequencies travel best through fluid, so go for rap, not Rachmaninov.
Yoga is a great way to improve little bodies and minds.
Though not such a popular phenomenon in Mzansi, there are some local studios offering classes for kids that will do them good.
As well as making them feel loved and secure, touching is fundamentally important to a baby's development.
Let your baby explore as many shapes and textures as possible - and give them lots of hugs.
If you want to improve your offspring's verbal skills, start early.
Oh, and ditch the baby talk without further ado.
That way she will learn the correct words without losing confidence, which is what you want.
Playing with our kids is vitally important for their development. Play is integral to a child's mental, emotional, social, intellectual and physical development. Studies show that children who score highest in socio-dramatic play like role plays demonstrate the greatest gains in cognitive areas like intellectual competence, attention span and creative thinking.
A study at Bristol University recently found that babies exposed to a foreign language within their first nine months found it easier to learn more languages later in life. Parents can also benefit by learning the new language.
Reading to your kids is a brain-boosting no-brainer. But finding the right books, and making the most of them, takes a bit more thought. Choose books that invite children's involvement and interaction.
When kids join in adult work they not only learn social and domestic skills, but develop good motor and practical skills too. When they help you with work kids "think" with their entire physical being.
- Eat fresh fruit and vegetables
A healthy diet is vital for a baby's growing brain.
Folate, magnesium, vitamin B6 and antioxidants - found in vegetables such as beans, broccoli, spinach and berries - are excellent brain power boosters. - pan media
How to boost your baby's brain power
WE ALL want our kids to be intelligent - not geniuses, but bright enough to do well at school and thrive later in life.
To a certain extent (about 50%) the level of your son or daughter's intelligence is determined by their genes.
But the other 50% is, rather frighteningly down to you.
Here is the scientific bit. Your baby is born with all the nerve cells he or she will ever possess.
These cells are like a mass of unconnected electrical wires and from the moment he is born, his brain will constantly try to connect the wires.
These connections determine his sight, language, curiosity, intelligence and sociability, and are mostly formed during his first three years.
The good news is that you don't have to be a neuroscientist to help his brain develop. In fact, the most important things you can do are to hold, play with, talk, read to and feed your child properly. The following are top brain-boosting tips.
Diet and nutrition are vital for a baby's developing brain. And the importance of Omega-3 oil has been proven in various studies. Omega-3 provides natural building blocks for brain development,' says child development expert Dr Carol Cooper. "Brain cells are made up of DHA - an omega-3 fatty acid, which we need to ensure is a regular part of a child's diet."
Research shows that unborn babies can hear clearly at 20 weeks of pregnancy and will remember the music you played until they're one-year-old. Which genre should you choose? Anything their mum likes is best, though bass frequencies travel best through fluid, so go for rap, not Rachmaninov.
Yoga is a great way to improve little bodies and minds.
Though not such a popular phenomenon in Mzansi, there are some local studios offering classes for kids that will do them good.
As well as making them feel loved and secure, touching is fundamentally important to a baby's development.
Let your baby explore as many shapes and textures as possible - and give them lots of hugs.
If you want to improve your offspring's verbal skills, start early.
Oh, and ditch the baby talk without further ado.
That way she will learn the correct words without losing confidence, which is what you want.
Playing with our kids is vitally important for their development. Play is integral to a child's mental, emotional, social, intellectual and physical development. Studies show that children who score highest in socio-dramatic play like role plays demonstrate the greatest gains in cognitive areas like intellectual competence, attention span and creative thinking.
A study at Bristol University recently found that babies exposed to a foreign language within their first nine months found it easier to learn more languages later in life. Parents can also benefit by learning the new language.
Reading to your kids is a brain-boosting no-brainer. But finding the right books, and making the most of them, takes a bit more thought. Choose books that invite children's involvement and interaction.
When kids join in adult work they not only learn social and domestic skills, but develop good motor and practical skills too. When they help you with work kids "think" with their entire physical being.
A healthy diet is vital for a baby's growing brain.
Folate, magnesium, vitamin B6 and antioxidants - found in vegetables such as beans, broccoli, spinach and berries - are excellent brain power boosters. - pan media
This article was first published in the printed newspaper and eEdition on 9 October 2012. Click on this link to view the eEdition
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