| In order to raise a gifted child, first of all it starts with | | | | music. It will increase his intelligence. |
| you - Yes, you as the parent, the main caregiver of | | | | VISUAL STIMULATION |
| the child. This is because you will be the one largely | | | | Brain cells will not die off if they are exercised. |
| influencing and creating the right environment to | | | | Providing visual stimulation to your child exercises his |
| develop your baby into a gifted child - genius. | | | | brain cells. Do you know that 70% of all information |
| Contrary to popular belief, a genius is not necessarily | | | | received is absorbed through the eyes? |
| "born" with a genius mind. A baby's brain, without any | | | | Showing your child flash cards, especially those with |
| external stimuli, degenerates over time. According to | | | | bright contrasting colours, and talking about them is a |
| Theva Nithy in his book "Your Child Your Genius", a | | | | very beneficial exercise. You don't have to spend a |
| baby is born with about 12 billion brain cells. In the | | | | bomb on flash cards. An alternative is to use your own |
| average child, by the age of 12, only 6 billion cells are | | | | family photos or pictures from magazines. |
| left. Imagine what this "average" child could become if | | | | Another great (and free) visual stimulator is to bring |
| he was given the opportunity to develop all the 12 billion | | | | your baby out wherever you go. For example, bring |
| brain cells! | | | | your young child out for long strolls in the park, letting |
| Of course, the foundation of all nurturing starts with | | | | him view the green on trees, the blue of the skies, the |
| unconditional love. But besides love, how does a parent | | | | pink of flowers. Or bring him to the grocer's - let him |
| help a child reach his fullest potential? | | | | touch and see the red of tomatoes, the green of |
| A healthy child is born with enormous potential. The | | | | green peppesr, the orange of carrots. You get the |
| mind of a healthy infant is like a sponge. Experts call it | | | | idea. |
| the "super-absorbent subconscious mind". A young | | | | READING |
| brain is able to absorb massive quantities of | | | | The importance of reading from a young age cannot |
| information. | | | | be overemphasized. Encouraging your child to read |
| Parents carry a huge responsibility to provide the right | | | | from a young age is important because most of |
| opportunities using the right techniques, to help their | | | | knowledge learnt is through words read - via books, |
| child reach his fullest potential to become a genius, | | | | magazines, etc. If your child hates reading in future, it is |
| which he was born to be. | | | | going to be a huge impediment in his learning process |
| What then, are the right techniques? | | | | from school all through to adulthood. |
| Here are a few tips you can use with your 0 to 6 | | | | Begin by reading to your baby from birth, even when |
| year-old child: | | | | he is asleep. As he grows older, continue reading and |
| MUSIC | | | | singing (eg. Alphabet songs) with varying tones. Read |
| Years of scientific research has confirmed that music | | | | aloud from books, let your child watch you point out |
| will induce alpha brain waves. Alpha waves are | | | | the pictures, flip the pages from right to left. When he |
| associated with a calm and focused state - this is the | | | | can, encourage two-way interaction. For example, ask |
| state in which we learn and absorb information best. | | | | simple questions, ask him to point out pictures, get him |
| Playing soothing music (eg. Classical) over time to your | | | | to flip the pages or simply hold the book steady. |
| child can enable your child to reach an alpha state | | | | Another suggestion is to bring him often to the library |
| easily. This method of exposing your child to soothing | | | | where he can learn from other role models - other |
| music is to enable your child to develop the ability to | | | | adults and kids enjoying their read |
| calm and focus his mind at will. Over time, your child will | | | | CONCLUSION |
| learn the important skill of focus and concentration for | | | | Knowing the techniques is not good enough. You must |
| long periods of time. | | | | execute it. It means extra time and energy required. |
| Play the music throughout the day, quietly in the | | | | For working parents, spending time to provide additional |
| background if you can. This includes his sleeping time. | | | | nurturing opportunities to your young infant is an even |
| Remember that even when the baby is asleep, he is | | | | greater challenge because it means more patience, |
| still absorbing information through his subconscious | | | | more time required for creating such opportunities, and |
| mind. | | | | less time left for your own rest. |
| During playtime, you can play more upbeat music like | | | | However, remember that your hard work will pay off. |
| nursery rhymes or children's songs. The faster tempo | | | | You reap what you sow. Your investment in your child |
| of the music will help your child to remain interested in | | | | now will reap you rewarding dividends later - happier, |
| the playtime activity. | | | | self-confident, well-balanced children who enjoy |
| As your baby grows older, it is definitely a good idea | | | | learning and making friends. |
| to expose him to a whole range of different types of | | | | |