How to Help Your Child Become a Genius by Age Two

Go to any toy store and you’ll find a huge section full of educational toys for babies and small children. There are hundreds of books about teaching your child everything from foreign language, to infant reading, to geometry…all before age two. As a parent, you might start feeling a little pressure to offer your child the very best in infant education. After all, if Bobby can’t recite the Gettysburg Address at Kindergarten orientation they might not let him enroll, right?

Getting involved in the education of your child should be a priority, but one that you can work on every day in a fun, casual way. Here are a few suggestions to help you find the balance between prepping your baby for the LSAT and letting him spend his day watching WWF.


First…Relax

Your baby is getting an education from you and his environment every day. As you talk to him and make eye contact, he’s learning about the world around him. The more interaction you have with your baby, the more he learns. Don’t leave your baby in his playpen for long periods of time, and don’t prop him up in front of the television. In fact, studies have shown that television – even children’s programming -- can be detrimental to babies because they are looking at the screen instead of interacting with the world around them.

Turn off the TV and talk to your baby. Sing him songs, recite nursery rhymes, play peek-a-boo. Take him for a walk outside to see the trees and hear the birds. Expose him to appropriate stimuli every day.


Read, Read, Read

One of the best ways to start educating your baby is by reading to him. Studies show that babies who are read to at an early age have higher IQs, larger vocabularies, and overall better test scores. Introducing reading at an early age gives your child a head start.

Start reading to your baby from birth and make it a part of your every day routine. As your baby grows, he’ll soon have favorite books, and you might be surprised how quickly he memorizes them.


Playtime and Educational Toys
   
The term, “Education toys” might be misleading. You don’t need to stick to flashcards or buy those expensive computer learning toys. Here’s a short list of toys that are educational without being boring or expensive:

•    Blocks
•    Magnetic letters and numbers
•    Puppets
•    Shape sorting toys
•    Stacking cubes or rings
•    Large wooden beads to string together
•    Large piece puzzles
•    Colorful paper, crayons, paints and dough
•    Play food and dishes
•    Dress-up costumes


Fun Afoot   

One of the best ways to educate your child is through field trips. Schedule a trip to the zoo. Spend a few days beforehand reading books about animals, or watching videos or television shows. Talk to your child about what animals eat, where they live, how they behave. Then go see them in action! Have your child draw a picture of his favorite creature. He can dictate a story or poem to you and you can make a book, complete with illustrations. Other field trips could include the planetarium, children’s museum, library or aquarium. If you live in a small town, take a trip to the grocery store or take a nature walk. Wherever you are, explore your environment and help your child discover new things and document them.


Education Around the House

Everyday activities teach your child, as well. Let him help you bake cookies and measure the ingredients – you’re teaching him fractions and chemistry. Get him out in the garden to help plant seedlings – he’s learning botany. Hang a map up on the kitchen wall and take turns picking place to visit – he’s learning geography. Have fun with your child and he’ll learn along the way!

Remember that all children develop at a different pace. Just because the neighbor’s little girl can count to 100 and read and write in two languages by the age of four doesn’t mean your son should be able to do the same. Let him work at his own pace. Relax, and have fun with your little learner!