Stimulation

As parents, we have a critical part to play in helping our children realize their full intellectual potential.

The time for action is in very early childhood, because babies and small children love to learn, and they learn effortlessly.

Here's what the experts have to say…

"The best time to tap into your baby's innate abilities, the capacities that all children are born with, is when his brain cells are rapidly growing and making new connections."

- Makoto Shichida

Professor of Education

Founder of the Shichida Education Institute

"Never forget that when you are giving a child visual, auditory, and tactile stimulation with increased frequency, intensity and duration that you are actually physically growing his brain."

- Glenn Doman

Founder of the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential

"Improve your child's ability to learn by using more than one of the five senses. When we use different senses we create multiple encoding, which increases the number of sites where information is stored."

- Winifred Conkling

Author of Smart-Wiring Your Baby's Brain

"There is, however, a limit to how much stimulation a young child should have. Too many toys, activities, and outings can create confusion and actually work to a child's detriment, hampering his ability to focus. Children are usually pretty good at telling us when they are bored but not when they are over-stimulated. Their behavior is often the only sign."

- Lise Eliot

Author of Early Intelligence:

How the Brain and Mind Develop in the First Five Years of Life

Now you know the basics, it's time to design a personalized teaching program for your baby. From birth, be sure to speak, sing and play music to your baby as much as possible.

To enhance communication and reduce frustration, you might consider teaching your baby sign language. Any time from 4 months of age, you can begin a teaching program of reading or math.

And don't forget to make time for encouraging your baby's physical development.