| Do |
Don't |
? |
The items in this list started with my recollections and
ended with vetting on the internet. Use at your own risk. |
| X |
|
|
After looking at eight different studies of childhood
development, researchers recently concluded that “reading to
a child in an interactive style raises his or her IQ by over
6 points.”
|
| X |
|
|
Several studies have suggested that there is a correlation
between learning a language and higher cognitive abilities.
For example, a study published in the Journal of Memory and
Language found that bilingual children performed better on
tests of executive function than monolingual children. |
| X |
|
|
Reading bedtime stories to babies and talking to them from
birth boosts their brain power and sets them up for success
at school, researchers say. Studies on babies and toddlers
found that striking differences emerged in their
vocabularies and language processing skills as early as 18
months old. |
| X |
|
|
Because newborns first learn to navigate the world through
touch, physical contact such as a hug and skin-on-skin
contact is crucial for development. |
| X |
|
|
Even if they're strapped to your chest or riding in a
stroller, children receive all kinds of stimulation outside
that they don't get when they're indoors. This stimulation
helps build the synapses—connections between cells in your
baby's brain—that are crucial to cognitive development. |
| X |
|
|
Breastfeeding was positively associated with IQ
performance in children and adolescents. On an average, more
breastfed participants had high IQ scores than non-breastfed
participants. |
| X |
|
|
Not only does regular bathing maintain your baby's hygiene
and wellbeing, bath time actually has many cognitive and
emotional benefits which will encourage development. |
| X |
|
|
In a study out of the journal of Developmental Science,
researchers observed a group of 16-month old toddlers who
ate while sitting in a highchair or at the table. What they
found was that the children who ate in highchairs, were able
to learn the names of non-solid foods and other objects
better than those who sat at the table (in chairs I'm
assuming). More importantly, those children who explored and
played with their food (as opposed to those who didn't) were
more likely to correctly identify specific non-solid foods
(such as applesauce) when shown in various shapes and sizes. |
| X |
|
|
Practice mathematical calculations: Mathematical
calculations can significantly increase brain functioning
and IQ. You can keep children entertained for 10 minutes
every day by asking them to solve mathematical problems. |
| X |
|
|
In one study, University of Chicago researchers found out
that the parent-child puzzle play interactions help children
with acquiring spatial languages. It also increases IQ, and
improves memory, among other things. |
| X |
|
|
A lot of senses are activated by pressing the pen on
paper, seeing the letters you write and hearing the sound
you make while writing. These sense experiences create
contact between different parts of the brain and open the
brain up for learning. We both learn better and remember
better [through writing],” says Van der Meer. |
| X |
|
|
A study conducted by the University of Washington revealed
that children who engage in creative writing show
significant improvement in their cognitive abilities. They
demonstrate enhanced problem-solving skills, better memory
retention, and improved concentration. |
| X |
|
|
A 2022 paper, titled 'Association between sleep duration
and Intelligence Quotient in 6-year-old children concluded:
“The results of this study support an association between
longer sleep duration and increased IQ scores.” |
| X |
|
|
As they mold the clay, children often encounter
challenges, such as balancing their sculpture or figuring
out how to add intricate details. These obstacles encourage
them to think critically and find creative solutions. |
| X |
|
|
Art can improve your child's focus and strengthen their
brain power, which can be especially beneficial for younger
children. The brain develops rapidly during childhood, and
engaging in activities that challenge the brain can help
prevent negative influences, such as drugs and alcohol. |
| X |
|
|
Let them do the dishes — household chores can make kids
smarter. Regular home duties like cooking were linked to
greater planning and self-regulation. Kids will hate this
study, but it turns out that doing chores might boost their
brain power. |
| X |
|
|
Talking to your child increases intelligence! The more
words they hear per day from you, the better it is for their
development and growth! |
| X |
|
|
Some research has suggested that kids who talk to pets,
whether by giving praise and commands or just babbling, show
improved cognitive development. Some schools and animal
rescues even have programs where children practice reading
to animals. |
| X |
|
|
Kids who participate in athletic activities like swimming
classes from a young age tend to do better in school and
have fewer behavioral and concentration problems. While the
focus of most educational discourse is class sizes and test
scores, the health of your physical body also strongly
affects your mental capabilities. Building a strong
association between movement and fun is an essential part of
nurturing well-rounded children who grow and thrive. In
fact, according to cutting-edge scientists like Dr. Win
Wenger, author of The Einstein Factor: A Proven New Method
For Increasing Your Intelligence, regular swimming may
actually increase your IQ by 10 points or more! His research
shows that swimming underwater for just three weeks is
enough to see a marked improvement in IQ, attention span,
verbal ability, and cognitive reasoning. Cycling makes
you smarter: This can double or triple the production of
neurons, which literally build your brain. The exercise also
causes your neurotransmitters to release so all your cells
can communicate better and increases brain functioning. |
| X |
|
|
The findings of a study demonstrated that 'High protein'
pattern [diet] was positively associated with cognitive
ability in children, while 'High fat' pattern [diet]
exhibited a negative association. |
X
|
|
|
The cognitive skills triggered by playing card games with
children are numerous: from memorization to matching, number
and pattern recognition and the promotion of more complex
math concepts depending on the difficulty level.
|
| X |
|
|
Engaging with poetry from an early age can improve
cognitive abilities in children by enhancing their language
skills, creative thinking and ability to interpret complex
concepts. |
| X |
|
|
The more you memorize, the easier it gets! Just like
muscles, memory is improved from exercise. |
| X |
|
|
Per Lauren E. Hartstein (Department of Psychological and
Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst): "Our
primary finding–that exposure to light at a higher
correlated color temperature leads to greater improvement in
task switching performance–indicates that the relationship
between the spectral power distribution of light and
executive function abilities is present early in cognitive
development. These data have implications for designing
learning environments and suggest that light may be an
important contextual factor in the lives of young children
in both the home and the classroom." |
| X |
|
|
Professor Ming Kuo, University of Illinois, in a 2019
research study published in the journal, Frontiers in
Psychology: “We found strong evidence that time in nature
has a rejuvenating effect on attention; relieves stress;
boosts self-discipline; increases physical activity and
fitness; and promotes student self-motivation, enjoyment,
and engagement. And all of these have been shown to improve
learning.” |
| X |
|
|
Looking up at a night sky full of stars fills your child
with wonder and delight. It sparks their imagination
and their curiosity. |
| X |
|
|
It’s not about serving an elaborate meal as much as it’s
about taking the time to come together as a family. Studies
prove that kids who eat regular meals with their families
have higher communication skills, better self-esteem, and
are less likely to engage in risky behavior later in life.
They also have a more balanced diet, which is another key
contributor to raising a smarter kid. |
| X |
|
|
Getting out and exploring is a great way to expand your
kid’s mind through new experiences. Taking a nature hike,
visiting a museum, zoo, or aquarium, or going to see a play
offers children a hands-on, immersive experience that
supports learning. |
| X |
|
|
Yes, according to studies at UCLA: [Having] Friends help
keep your mind engaged and teach you new skills. |
| X |
|
|
One study found that people tend to inhale just before a
cognitive task — and that doing so tends to improve
performance. Several have found that it is only breathing
through the nose that has these effects; breathing through
the mouth does not. |
| X |
|
|
Going upside down by doing inversions reverses blood flow
and increases blood circulation in all parts of the body,
especially to the brain. As the blood rushes to your head,
it provides the brain with more oxygen and improves
cognitive function. |
| X |
|
|
The first cognitive benefit of martial art training is
improved focus. |
| X |
|
|
When you do yoga, your brain cells develop new
connections, and changes occur in brain structure as well as
function, resulting in improved cognitive skills such as
learning and memory. Yoga strengthens parts of the brain
that play a key role in memory, attention, awareness,
thought, and language. |
| X |
|
|
In essence, sailing teaches us that attention to detail —
whether it's understanding wind patterns or honing
transferable skills like critical thinking — can make all
the difference between success and failure both on the water
and in our everyday lives |
| X |
|
|
Apples and/or apple juice was correlated to the production
of certain neurotransmitters that may lead to improved
memory. Rich in potassium and magnesium, bananas give
the brain energy and help sharpen the brain's focus,
increasing the ability to pay attention and learn. Bananas
also offer vitamins and nutrients that improve cognitive
function overall. Emerging research suggests that
compounds in blueberries known as flavonoids may improve
memory, learning and general cognitive function, including
reasoning skills, decision making, verbal comprehension and
numerical ability. Regularly eating fish can improve
brain power due to the omega-3 fatty acids found in
fish. Foods like fatty fish, healthy proteins,
wholegrains, berries, natural sugars and even caffeinated
beverages can promote clarity and sharp thinking. |
| X |
|
|
In a research published in 2006, the American researches
Donald Templer and Hiroko Arikawa proved that people living
in areas with a colder climate have a higher IQ |
| X |
|
|
Do every day things differently (like brush your teeth
with your non-dominant hand, walk backwards, write or paint
with your non-dominat hand, kick a ball with your
non-dominant foot, or sing a song in a foreign
language). Doing this forms new pathways and
connections in your brain. [Re. problem solving: Type
it out and look at it in different fonts, colors,
arrangement, order, languages and forms (i.e. imagery,
sound, smell, etc.).] |
| X |
|
|
Studies show subtitles and same-language video captions
help improve comprehension, memory, and attention in
children and adults. |
| X |
|
|
When you work to hone your public speaking skills despite
feeling unqualified or nervous, you are actually boosting
your brain. You are improving your memory through cognitive
training. And the benefits of similar programs have been
proven to last at least 10 years. In addition, public
speaking increases your practice in controlling your own
stress response. |
| X |
|
|
Believe it or not, jumping rope can make you smarter.
According the Jump Rope Institute, jumping aids in the
development of the left and right hemispheres of your brain,
which further enhances spacial awareness, improves reading
skills, increases memory and makes you more mentally alert. |
| X |
|
|
A DIYS.com study found the following IQ boosts by new
activity: learning new musical instrument adds 10 points,
knitting adds 9, exercising or reading 7, meditation 6, and
gardening or learning a new language 5. [Unthorough study
based on 4,700 volunteers taking two tests 6 months apart.] |
| X |
|
|
Studies have a shown that exposure to a common, harmless
bacteria present in garden soil [in dirt, but not in potting
mix which may contain unhealthy aerosols] can increase
learning ability and decrease stress. |
| X |
|
|
Scientific evidence suggests cooking our food may have
made us more intelligent. |
| X |
|
|
A thorough study found that the only physical activity to
offer protection against dementia was frequent dancing:
reading - 35% reduced risk of dementia, bicycling and
swimming - 0%, doing crossword puzzles at least four days a
week - 47%, playing golf - 0%, and dancing frequently -
76%! [I believe that if it staves off dementia in
older adults, then it is likely to enhance cognition in
younger people.] |
| X |
|
|
Museums can make you smarter: students who attended the
[museum] trip demonstrated stronger critical thinking
skills, displayed higher levels of social tolerance,
exhibited greater historical empathy and developed a taste
for art museums and cultural institutions. |
| X |
|
|
Japanese researchers from the Tokyo University of
Agriculture found that the motion associated with horseback
riding can stimulate activity in the brain and enhance your
child's cognitive abilities. |
| X |
|
|
Research suggests that seeing—or even just hearing—birds
is beneficial for mental health. |
| X |
|
|
Zoo animals move and interact with one another—and
sometimes with the kids. They make noises and smell. Kids
can even touch petting zoo animals. This new information
provides a brain workout, and research shows that this
increases IQ points and improves academic performance. |
| X |
|
|
Modern research has shown that it does not matter if a
child has been previously exposed to chess, and only four
months of chess training can significantly increase their
overall IQ. |
| X |
|
|
By socializing, your child will learn to foster empathy,
improve language skills, discover the concepts of sharing
and teamwork, grow more confident, and get better prepared
for school. |
| X |
|
|
Laughing together is a way to connect, and a good sense of
humor also can make kids smarter, healthier, and better able
to cope with challenges. Marc Hye-Knudsen, a
researcher of humor and lab manager at Aarhus University’s
Cognition and Behavior Laboratory in Denmark, explained how
dad's silly jokes help support a child’s physical and
cognitive development. |
| X |
|
|
Ice skating field trips become academic field trips for
students, helping them develop better brain power for the
reading, writing, and other activities that rely heavily on
small motor, attention, and visual skills, boosted by a high
functioning vestibular system. |
| X |
|
|
People who spend at least 3 hours per week playing card
games enjoy mental benefits that go beyond fun and
relaxation. Playing card games can improve your memory,
creativity, spatial skills, problem-solving abilities, and
more. |
| X |
|
|
the 1850 edition of Noah Webster’s Dictionary defines
“rote” as: “To fix in memory by means of frequent
repetition.”What modern educators seem to ignore is that
rote memorization is not only the easiest way to learn
something; it often is the only way to learn
something. Its purpose is to create automaticity so
the child will know something without thinking about
it. Research has shown that rote learning is a
consistently effective teaching method when properly
applied. Saying all these negative things about rote
learning [versus understanding] is very unhelpful, The two
things are not in opposition. It’s not that we should spend
time on conceptual understanding instead of spending it on
learning times tables. It’s by spending time on times tables
that you’ll develop the conceptual understanding. Having
times tables, basic math facts, phonics, spelling and
grammatical structures really well established will allow
you to speed up later on. For all of these complex
higher-order skills [language, grammar, math, science] you
need to have as many automatic processes as possible so you
can free up space in working memory." |
| X |
|
|
This new understanding of intelligence opens the doors for
new programs to improve people’s ability for relational
reasoning (and thus improving their overall intelligence).
One such intervention is called SMART, an online program
that trains participants with simple relations, namely
SAME/DIFFERENT and MORE/LESS relations over a series of 55
training stages. A small handful of controlled studies using
SMART show changes in IQ scores of 1/2 to one standard
deviation (e.g., a study with teenage pupils finding
improvements of about 15 points). Considering that the next
best training out there, working memory training, typically
shows rises of only 2-3 points, the potential of RFT-based
interventions is striking. |
| X |
|
|
Spatial Intelligence: 1. Use spatial language in everyday
interactions: preschoolers whose parents use more spatial
vocabulary (such as triangle, big, tall or bent) perform
better in spatial tests than those whose parents do not use
such language; 2. Teach gestures and encourage kids to use
them to explain spatial relations: When children use
gesturing [i.e. using soace between hands to show that
object A was this big and object B was this big] to indicate
movements of objects, their visual spatial IQ improves; 3.
Teach children how to visualize using the mind’s eye: young
children can be taught to use visualization to enhance their
spatial ability, for example, young children often have
“gravity bias” and in an experiment, when a ball drops,
preschoolers tended to think that it will appear directly
below, even if the ball dropped down a twisted tube but when
instructed to visualize the path of the ball before
answering, more kids got the right answer; 4. Play the
construction matching game by putting together a simple
structure using building blocks and then asking the kid(s)
to match it in shape and in colors; 5. Play blocks and
build objects in a storytelling context [i.e. ask how can we
make these blocks or Legos taller or support an object]; 6.
Play tangram, non-jigsaw and other open-ended spatial
puzzles; 7. Expose children to map reading; 8. Read
spatial-rich books such as Zoom and Re-Zoom (great picture
books that can draw children into a world of visualization
and spatial thinking); 9. Play spatial reasoning games such
as Tetris; 10. Help your child explore photography (taking
photos of objects at different angles can enhance children’s
ability to take on different visual perspectives and
recognize changes in scale); 11. Play Origami and practice
paper folding; 12. Make three-dimensional crafts; 13. teach
3D sketching [isometric paper might help]. |
| X |
|
|
Several studies claim that writing regularly can have a
direct correlation to improvement in your intelligence
quotient. Among other things, writing forces you to think
and express in established language forms, and that requires
new vocabulary acquisition. Turns out, one of the biggest
indicators of your IQ score is the breadth of your
vocabulary. Spontaneous scribbling is a good thing. |
| X |
|
|
Image streaming: close your eyes and imagine; record your
imaginings on tape or in writing. Use all of your
senses. [This connects your "left brain" to your
"right brain" and allows access to more of your brain's
potential.] |
| X |
|
|
Speed read: Japanese accelerative learning pioneer Dr.
Makoto Shichida...discovered that a speedy input of data can
short-circuit the slow left brain. The left brain processes
only one word or phrase at a time. But you can learn a
foreign language, read a book, or absorb higher math at
hundreds of times that rate. The trick, Shichida discovered,
is to feed the data into your brain too fast for your
conscious mind to follow it. Photo read: When you are
PhotoReading, never focus on specific words. Instead,
concentrate your attention on the white space around the
letters. Imagine yourself looking over the top of your head
as you gaze at the entire page at once, focusing only on the
white space. You will see both pages at once, as well as
your two hands holding the book on either side. The page
will take on an almost three-dimensional appearance. When
you gain that sense of depth, you have attained PhotoFocus
[and can now read each page in 1 or 2 seconds apiece and the
next day will have exceptional recall]. |
| X |
|
|
Studies have shown that kids who have pets do better —
especially in the area of Emotional Intelligence (EQ), which
has been linked to early academic success, even more so than
the traditional measure of intelligence, IQ |
| X |
|
|
While it obviously helps with language development,
studies show that Scrabble can increase IQ in children.
[Episodic memory is linked to semantic learning (i.e.
playing baseball will greatly increase your memory of
baseball terminology).] |
| X |
|
|
Spending time abroad doesn’t only make us smarter; travel
makes us more creative as well. Many of the cognitive
and creative benefits we get from travel don’t require
physical travel at all. If we can convince the mind, through
techniques like priming [e.g. pre-test announcement that the
test subject originated in a foreign country or culture],
that we’re having a multicultural experience, it will act
accordingly. |
| X |
|
|
The Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre in Ireland found that a
lack of appropriate gut bacteria permanently reduces
serotonin production leading to stress, anxiety and
depression disorder [and visa-versa]. |
| X |
|
|
[Include iodized salt and fatty fish in diet.] The
progressive encephalization reflects the synergistic effects
of a number of nutritional parameters, including a diet that
contains essential elements for brain growth such as
long-chained polyunsaturated fatty acids, arachidonic acid,
eicosapentaenoic acid, and specific trace elements. Amongst
the latter, iodine is considered critical for development,
health, and reproduction in modern humans. Given that
adequate iodine intake promotes brain development and other
developmental traits by ensuring appropriate thyroid hormone
production and availability, it is reasonable to assume that
enhanced intake of iodine was a prerequisite for the
functional expansion of brain tissue, its structural
differentiation, and the related social and cognitive
skills. |
| X |
|
|
Promote a healthy microbiome. Dysbiosis leads to
underdevelopment. Gut health is promoted by 1)
non-ceserian birth and breast feeding, 2) socializing with
people with a diverse and healthy microbiome (the microbes
pass from person to person and are constantly changing), and
3) consumption of diverse dietary fibers (fiber diversity
leads to microbiome diversity). Note that, at birth, a
child's microbiome is very simple and doesn't usually reach
maturity for three years or so. |
| X |
|
|
Talk to your baby while s/he's still in the womb.
Scientists have discovered that children begin learning
their native language in utero. |
|
X |
|
The present paper provides an overview of research
concerning both acute and chronic effects of exposure to
noise ]loud enough to make it harder to hear people
speaking] on children's cognitive performance. Experimental
studies addressing the impact of acute exposure showed
negative effects on speech perception and listening
comprehension. |
|
X |
|
Sensory deprivation studies show us that sudden and nearly
complete deprivation of stimulation through the five senses
[as in a sensory deprevation tank] can lead to dramatic
changes in the brain's efficiency with a partial loss of
memory, a lowering of the I.Q., personality changes
including withdrawal an/or hallucinations. |
|
X |
|
In addition, the brain showed thickening in a frontal lobe
region, the frontopolar cortex, that is known to lower
language-based reasoning ability. Testing confirmed that
verbal IQ scores, which measure vocabulary and language
skills, fell in proportion to the hours of TV the children
watched. |
|
X |
|
The amount or presence of homework, especially at younger
grade levels, does not result in elevated standardized test
scores. Source: Review of Educational Research, “Does
Homework Improve Academic Achievement?" |
|
X |
|
Maternal smoking during pregnancy can cause deficits in
the intelligence quotient. |
|
X |
|
The researchers found four genetic variants in
alcohol-metabolising genes among the children that were
strongly related to a lower IQ at age eight. The child's IQ
was on average almost two points lower per genetic
modification they possessed. Crucially, this effect was only
seen among the children of women who were moderate drinkers. |
|
X |
|
Children of marijuana users were more impulsive and
hyperactive, and exhibited behavioral issues, lower IQ
scores, and memory problems when compared to children of
non-users. Children who were exposed to tobacco in the
womb are more likely to have language and memory development
problems as they grow up. |
|
X |
|
In one study, researchers found that, for every increase
of 2.5 micrograms per meter cubed (µg/m3) of fine-particle
pollution (PM2. 5) surrounding the teens' homes, their
performance IQ score dropped one point. |
|
X |
|
This symmetric brain activity comes at a cost:
ambidextrous people score slightly lower on IQ tests than
those with a dominant hand. They have lower ability in
reasoning, math, and memory. |
|
X |
|
Dr. Rai, however, noted a 15-year study on in 4,582
Chinese adults indicating that higher chili intake (above
50g/day) is positively associated with cognitive decline,
particularly in subjects with a lower body mass index. |
|
|
X |
The brain scientist Robert Thatcher said that for every
millisecond spent in the perturbative (chaotic) state over
the average 55 milliseconds added as much as twenty (20) IQ
points to that person. |
|
|
X |
There is a lack of clinical research for binaural beats.
The evidence for the frequency-following effect is
conflicting and inconclusive. Talk to your doctor before
trying to use binaural beats for any health reasons.
Possible benefits of binaural beats include: increased
creativity and cognitive enhancement,
reduced anxiety and improved mood, helping you enter a
meditative state, improved sleeping habits, helping to
improve focus, attention, and memory retention,
Possible undesirable side effects of binaural beats include
reported depression, anxiety and anger. |
|
|
X |
While there may be no strong and reliable correlation
between reading speed and IQ, speed reading is still
beneficial in improving one's level of intelligence. |
|
|
X |
Scientists at the University of California at Irvine
raised the IQ scores of test subjects by 8 to 9 points,
simply by having them listen to 10 minutes of Mozart’s
Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, K.448. Of course,
such sudden and dramatic gains tend to be short-lived. IQ
gains made by Head Start preschoolers, for example, tended
to dissipate between the third and sixth grade.2 The jump
experienced by the Mozart listeners in Irvine faded after
only 15 minutes. Educators call this the Fade-Out Effect. |
|
|
X |
The researchers put to the test different activities such
as reading, golfing, swimming and doing cross puzzles. They
found out that dancing was the activity that surpassed all
the others by improving cognitive skills by 76% [in older
people at risk of dementia?] |
|
|
X |
Singing fosters fluency in sound production, says Trehub,
which may help children learn language. However, she is
quick to point out that there are no definitive studies that
show singing improves a baby's cognitive development. |
|
|
X |
Children in center-based care (i.e., day care) may show
slightly enhanced academic, cognitive, and language
development. Children in center-based care may also have a
higher risk for behavioral issues at some stages of
development |
|
|
X |
Daydreaming can have a negative effect on your ability to
perform a specific task. It may come as a surprise, however,
that on average people who are inclined to daydream a lot
have a lower working memory capacity and score worse on IQ
tests. However, Einstein himself had some ideas on
this subject. He believed that you could stimulate ingenious
thought by allowing your imagination to float freely,
unrestrained by conventional inhibitions. |
|
|
X |
No statistically significant relationship was found
between cursing and intelligence |
|
|
X |
The meta-analytic synthesis of the studies to date found
that sugar does not affect the behavior or cognitive
performance of children. The strong belief of parents may be
due to expectancy and common association. |
|
|
X |
Although allergic rhinitis is a chronic disease and
effects quality of life, there were no identifiable negative
effects on IQ. |
|
|
X |
There is evidence that [vitamin] supplementation has no
measurable effect on the intelligence of well-nourished
children with normal blood nutrient concentrations. |
