Can You Make A Baby Smarter?

Many parents want to do whatever it takes to help their son or daughter become a successful learner.  They will try to stimulate learning through flash cards, language tapes, “Baby Einstein” and yes…The Little Gym.  But can a parent make their baby smarter?

Researchers have identified two different measurements of intelligence: “genotype” (the person's genetically determined characteristics, or intellectual potential in this case) and the “phenotype” (what we can see or measure of the person's ability and expression of that ability). Environment may be said to account for the difference between the “genotype” and the “phenotype.”

Here are some of the best ways to influence an infant’s ability to express intellectual ability according to the Center for Early Education and Development:

Babies learn best by acting on their environment and by being allowed to set their own agenda, not by being passive recipients of adult-directed instruction.  This is additional confirmation for The Little Gym’s exploration period during parent-child classes.

Parents whose major objectives are to see their baby acquire knowledge beyond what is usual for its age are at risk of creating a tense, pressured environment which well may squelch their baby's natural desire to explore and learn. 

Take a broad view of infant education and recognize the many ways in which a baby naturally learns when given the opportunity. Every play experience is a learning experience. Blowing bubbles with his mouth, banging on a pan with a wooden spoon, making the bell ring on the busy box, all are important lessons in cause and effect. Splashing in water, rolling in the grass, squishing bare feet in mud are all lessons about physical properties. Giving a baby the opportunity to learn through exploration is far more valuable than all the flashcards in the world.  Bubbles, bells, rolling…hmmm, that sounds familiar.

One of the most important components of school success is effective use of language, and a baby's most important language teachers are the parents. There is no need to “teach” a baby language.  Just talk with a baby and let the learning happen. Sing, babble, and read to babies, allowing them to experience the fun of language. Imitate the baby's sounds, creating a “conversation” long before the baby can begin to form words. Describe what you are doing, seeing, feeling, hearing, tasting–and, before you know, the child will be doing the same.  

Finally, one of the most significant steps a parent can take to help a child become a successful learner is to let their child experience mastery. A baby's first experiences of mastery will be when a parent responds to his cues and signals. Laugh with him when he makes a funny sound.  Allow him to see that he has the power to affect his environment. Put a toy just out of reach, and let him feel the satisfaction of scooting over to it, grabbing it, and exploring it to his heart's content.   Scoot the trap a little further back so that he has to reach just a little further to grab the bar.  Children experience challenge and mastery every day at The Little Gym.

Share these ideas with the parents in all of your programs.  We can assist parents in helping their child to develop a love of exploration, find the joy of language, and believe in his own ability to succeed. What more could you do to prepare your child to fulfill his intellectual potential?

Martha Farrell Erickson
University of Minnesota
Center for Early Education and Development

Information provided with permission of the Center for Early Education and Development (CEED), College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota, 215 Pattee Hall, 150 Pillsbury Drive Southeast, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455-0223; phone: 612-625-2898; fax: 612-625-6619; e-mail: ceed@icimail.education.umn.edu, web site: http://education.umn.edu/ceed.