1. Sufficient spacing: If possible, leave 3-5 years of space between children. This gives each child some time in the limelight, gives Mom's body a chance to recuperate, and helps to reduce the total number of kids per family, all of which boost IQ.
2. Two parents are better than one: Father-absent boys (a big problem during wartime) have lower IQs than other boys. If possible, children should have time with both parents.
3. Limit TV watching: Chronic TV watchers turn into passive learners who are in poor physical shape. Children learn best by doing, not by watching. Get the children out from in front of the TV and outside playing basketball or taking skating lessons. Children who are in good physical shape learn better than those that are not.
4. Spend time together: Ten minutes of 'quality time' a day just doesn't
cut the mustard in my book. You should have more time together just by
following suggestion 3. What should you do together? Try to fit in the
Big Four every day: play, work, talk, and read.
PLAY - A game of cards, a board game, a puzzle, and sports in general are great family activities. Play is more important to a person's well being than most people think.5. Don't push: Forcing your child into early potty training or alphabet learning does more harm than good. So does over-scheduling every waking minute. One or two lessons/classes a week per child is sufficient. On the other hand, children do benefit from following daily routines (e.g.: brushing teeth, reading a book, saying prayers before bed).WORK - Let your child help you bake a pie, fix the car, and set the table. Children who perform chores learn responsibility and pride and they become happier adults.
TALK - Parents spend very little time talking and listening to their children. Shouting orders and rebukes doesn't count. Tape record your conversations for a week and see how much time you really spend at it.
READ - Few things are as important to your child's education as instilling a love of books. Start reading to your child when s/he is old enough to sit still on your lap for 3 minutes and continue throughout grade school. Many gifted children teach themselves to read by the age of 4 or 5 just by following along as their favorite books are read over and over to them. Also, let your children see you reading once in a while so that they learn you enjoy reading, too.
6.Computers are great, BUT: everyone needs to learn how deal with other people, too. Starting at the age of 18 to 24 months, all children should spend a part of every day or two in free play with other children. Gifted children of all ages need other gifted children to relate to, too.
7.Take field trips: Supplement your rich home environment by taking your child to the store, library, museums, zoo, park, pool, bank, etc. Frequent short trips are better than longer trips for small children. Family vacations will give your children fond memories for years to come.
8. Love, attention, and discipline: the most important things of all. A child from a stable, loving home will be free to grow and develop as quickly as possible.