Parenting Guide: Developing Smarter Children

Authoritarian Parenting

Authoritarian parenting is often thought of as disciplinarians.

• Strict discipline style with little negotiation possible. Punishment is common.
• Communication is mostly one way: from parent to child. Rules usually are not explained.
• Parenting with this style are typically less nurturing.
• Expectations are high with limited flexibility.

Permissive Parenting

Permissive or Indulgent parenting mostly let their children do what they want, and offer limited guidance or direction. They are more like friends than parents.

• Their discipline style is the opposite of strict. They have limited or no rules and mostly let children figure problems out on their own.
• Communication is open, but this parenting style lets children decide for themselves rather than giving direction.
• Parents in this category tend to be warm and nurturing.
• Expectations are typically minimal or not set by these parents.

Uninvolved Parenting

Uninvolved parenting gives children a lot of freedom and generally stay out of their way. Some parents may make a conscious decision to parent in this way, while others are less interested in parenting or unsure of what to do.

• No particular discipline style is utilized. An uninvolved parenting lets a child mostly do what he wants, probably out of a lack of information or care.
• Communication is limited.
• This group of parents offers little nurturing.
• There are few or no expectations of children.

Authoritative Parenting

Authoritative parenting are reasonable and nurturing and set high, clear expectations. Children with parents who demonstrate this style tend to be self-disciplined and think for themselves. This style is considered to be most beneficial to children.

• Disciplinary rules are clear, and the reasons behind them are explained.
• Communication is frequent and appropriate to the child’s level of understanding.
• Authoritative parenting is a nurturing parenting style.
• Expectations and goals are high but stated clearly. Children may have input into goals.

Helicopter Parenting

In 1990, Foster Cline and Jim Fay coined the term ‘helicopter parenting’ which gained wide currency as the oldest millennial began reaching college.

Helicopter Parenting is similar to the authoritative style, but with a little more involvement, or some might say over-involvement, in a child’s life. A helicopter parent is also known as cosseter.

Free range parenting

This parenting style resembles the uninvolved style, but with a conscious decision to allow more independent thinking that is in the best interest of the child.

Whatever parenting styles are adopted, there are myriad factors that play an important role in the development of the child. There are many methods to nurture the intellectual and cognitive development of the child.

Parenting through Social Interaction

The Social Intelligence of a child develops from social interactions with people and from learning during social settings. Social interactions improve verbal fluency and conversational skills, active listening skills, knowledge of social roles, rules and scripts, role-playing and social efficacy.

Social activities also encourage growth in the language center of the brain. Encourage and provide as many social platforms for your child.

Parenting to Start Early

Some experts recommend giving your child a head start in learning, terming it a ‘start in the crib’, activities to support early childhood development.

Examples are maximizing loving responsiveness and minimizing stress, talking, singing and gesturing a lot, using number games and rhythm, enabling and encouraging three-dimensional competencies, and cultivating a love of learning.

Parenting by Reading Books to Your Kid

Reading to your child early will give him a head start in developing language skills. Kids who are read to when young are more likely to develop a lifelong interest in reading, do well in school and succeed in adult life.

Reading books is one of the most important activities that make kids smart.

Parenting using Conversations

Talking and listening to your child increases greater brain activity and verbal attitude.

Parenting Quality time and interactions

Scientists have observed that babies who are cuddled, played with and loved have stunted brain growth. Many studies have shown that loving, hugging, interacting and playing with your child has a strong effect on developing his intelligence.

Parents who respond to their child’s signals promptly and appropriately provide a secure base for their children.

Parenting to Nurture a Reader

Reading develops a child’s appetite for knowledge, the more he learns from reading, the more his quest for learning.

Parenting and Play

Social Interactions through play creates the foundation for intellectual, social, physical and emotional skills. This way, he learns to combine ideas, impressions, and feelings based on his experiences with other kids).

Parenting by Encouraging creativity

Nurture your child’s creativity by exposing your child to literature, music, and arts. Studies have shown that listening to music can boost memory, attention, motivation, and learning.

A child’s brains develop faster with music training.

Parenting by Limiting screen time

A child should not be watching TV before age 2. Too much of screen time limits social interactions and time for other brain-stimulating activities.

Be a good role model by Parenting

Children learn faster through observation. So try to emulate behavior that you want to teach in them.

Parenting by being Boring: Which is OK

Getting bored prepares your child for adulthood. Your child should also learn to enjoy ‘quiet reflection’ instead of just filling the day with activities.

Parenting by Promoting Freedom of thought

Children should be allowed to take risks and experience failure of pain. Encourage them to come up with solutions for conflicts or challenges they face.

It is important they learn to think and solve problems by themselves. Avoid coddling your child.

Parenting Nutrition

Providing the right nutrition for your child is essential to improve attention, focus and thinking skills.

Parenting One's Sleep

Regular sleeping habits help prevent dementia over time, helps the brains restore information, enhances language skills and hand-eye coordination, helps re-establish order and keeps emotions in check.

Sleep is vital to keeping the brain healthy and preventing mental disorders. Sleep impairment can lead to mood disorders and chronic illnesses.

Parenting Math: Introduce it early

Maths is a good brain activity to keep the child stimulated and actively engaged.

According to researcher Greg Duncan: ”mastery of early math skills predicts not only future math achievement, but it also predicts future reading achievement.

Parenting Physically: Exercise

Exercise increases the flow of blood to the brain and builds new brain cells. It has a tremendous impact on a child’ still-developing brain.

• Your two year old: terrible or tender by Louise Bates,
• Becoming attached  by Robert Karen
• All Joy and no fun by Jennifer Senior
• When partners become parents by Carolyn Pape Cowan & Philip A Cowan
• Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne
• The child, the family, and the outside world by D.W. Winnicott
• The whole brainchild by Daniel J Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
• No Bad Kids by Janet Lansbury
• The drama of the gifted child  by Alice Miller
• Queen Bees Wannabes – Rosalind Wiseman

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