My son just turned 9mos last Oct 19 what should I do to develop his intelligence. What kind of toys

Kekua - posted on 11/15/2009

As a former parent educator in early home instruction I'm going to give you the best and most basic advice I've ever heard (this comes from a nationally recognized child development specialist).

♥ read read read about math, about rain, about totally ridiculous nonsense - it doesn't matter - just read. If he sits still follow the words with your finger as you read them.

♥ The best toys are "old" toys - as in no batteries required. Blocks, wheels, balls, dolls (yes for boys too), puzzles, etc. just make sure they're age safe.

♥ Play music. Even when they're not ListeninG they're listening. They eventually separate the different tones, instrument sounds, tempos, etc... which is great when they start learning to read.

♥ number one - TALK!! Research has shown that we do not talk to boys as much as girls. Boys on average have much less natural or "inborn" verbal and communication abilities and you can really help your son by just telling him what's up. I'm putting on your shoe / I'm going to wipe the table / let's walk downstairs / etc.

And my tip to you, as a fellow mother with a son - if he's like most boys it will always seems like he's not but I guarantee that he IS listening. Boys have the need to move almost constantly, and they don't look you in the eye. It's just part of the way they're built, literally. So even when he won't sit still keep reading the book, when he'll look everywhere but at your face, keep talking. It's frustrating but you get used to it and you'll be glad you did.

Good Luck Mama!
:) K

Jennifer - posted on 11/12/2009

Oh I forgot to add... try to stear clear of competition or comparison with other kids. This can ruin a child's desire to grow and stunt them and hurt your relationship.. children naturally compare and contrast and the more we push, the farther behind they can get and discouraged. Your child is unique and at the place they are and to love them where they are at is to ensure that they will get to where they are going!! Hope it wasn't too much... I hope some of this helps!! and again, if you got any advice that would help me too.. I would SO LOVE IT!!!

Jennifer - posted on 11/12/2009

OOOH! I love this one! My son is 6 and at a 2nd grade level in math and a first grade level in reading. I read to him all the time... don't be scared to read harder level books ( WE LOVE Growl Tiger's Last Stand- T.S. Eliot) Its poetry and my son has developed a love for language and the use of words and the illustrations appeal to him.. I read poetry alot from great poets like (Rilke, Shel Silverstein... I have a library really if you need some more :) I agree with the classical music too... but don't limit him or her to just one style.. there are alot of great different styles out there that will expand them into different cultures, languages as well. Plus this gives your child an expanded pallet to choose from and an appreciation for all types) I listen with my son to alot of European downtempo and add a little classic rock- we love blues and jazz night on our public radio station (he asks for it!) as well... Never be afraid to use bigger words at any age.. you would be surprised how much children are like sponges and it encourages them to ask the meaning and its a great challenge for the parents to have to stop and learn to break down meaning themselves... its a learning experience for both you and them!! I try not to push too hard in intellect.. but try to feel my son's point of learning and stretch him.. I keep watch over where my son is expressing special interest (his is science and math) and create special things for him at home in this area to build his confidence then I go to the things that are harder for him and give new things. We as humans seem to handle our weak point better once our confidence is raised. I go to school for Special Education and Writing right now so it helps that my son see's me into learning as well...If you have already finished school or are attending.. let your child know you are learning new things too and that its a lifelong process!!! and NEVER be afraid to tell them you don't know something... I always tell my son.. I don't know Jamison, but lets find out together... children love to have adventures and especially with others!! Why not it be us? Learning comes in so many forms. I have a word for the week with my son (and myself) and we have to use it throughout the week or act on it so that it becomes a part of us (Ours this week is responsibility) I put it on a note card so he can SEE the word, then we talk about the meaning and we talk about how we can take more responsibility then we DO IT! This challenges me to grow as a person as well! It helps to give the word life and real meaning to him so it isn't just a text book concept (Education in the better schools are moving more out of text book mode and into real application mode.. FINALLY!)... with alot of love, acceptance and support our children can take on so much more in learning. As a parent I really LOVE that new laptop that Fisher price came out with recently.. I played with one in the store and I was like "wow! I didn't know that was where that country was! " LOL! Also that bike that you hook up to the t.v. and they interact!! WHERE THE HECK WAS THAT WHEN I WAS LITTLE? I also limit the stupid no brainer cartoons (in my personal opinion.. what the heck is sponge bob teaching thats of value anyways?) I also think that intelligence comes in many forms (Social, Emotional, Intellectual, Spiritual, Relational, Cultural, Creative, Musical, Physical etc..) and if we not only focus on just education in itself but the child as a whole, we gain better students in the end!! (and better adults in the future!) and any video games that can zap our kids creativity.. Of course these are just suggestions.. if you have found some others yourself that would inspire me I would love to hear them! I am always down with new things, please share!!! Also, alot of learning comes in natural play!!! I did a study where I watched my son interacting and we can learn alot about our childrens strength and weaknesses if we just watch them interact in alone play or with others and with adults! And some of the simpler toys ARE the best.. like lego's and puzzles and BLANK SHEETS of paper with good old fashioned color crayons, paints (put some creative music in the background and watch the future genius in action) No worries! Since this already is a concern now in you as a parent, I am sure that your child's intelligence will never be in question!! My mom did alot of this with me (boy, am I glad) and guess what? she was a SINGLE MOM!! :)

Amy - posted on 11/01/2009

Read, read, read and read some more. Also playing classical music at night does really help as well. Your son will be exposed to more vocabulary which will help when he does start learning to read and the music helps to stimulate the brain on an unconscious level. Both of my girls (4 and 6) were early readers and pick up on everything now

Tamika - posted on 10/31/2009

My little girl has watched your baby can read from 3 months and she loves it,she now 8months. Plus I read to her and now I'm looking for more educational things to teach her. She learning so fast that am trying to keep up with her. But get your baby can read DVDs your child will love it.

Jessica - posted on 10/29/2009

first and for most.. do they have a parents as teachers out by you. if so do that program. They show items to teach children befor ethey are off to school. My son has been in the program since the age of one and it helped me alot to teach my son. we just did a testing with them and my son is as smart as a 4 yr old, which i am so glad he is so blessed. but what I would do is start him off with puzzles. I started my son with puzzles around 6 months. I would show him how to do them and now he is two yrs old and he can put a 100 pc puzzle together. Puzzles are the building blocks for math.. its highly recommonded to teach ur children puzzles. plus, if u havent started, sing the alphabet with him. By the age of 1.5 u can start showing and identifying teh letters. start calling him by his first and last name. he will need to know that by the age of 3. ne ways, see if u have the program by u. they will teach u alot of things

La Keisha - posted on 10/29/2009

www.yourbabycanread.com I haven't tried it myself, but I do plan on getting it. Kids 3 months to 5 years can use it. Just check it out. Hope this helps

Justine - posted on 10/28/2009

try the book "how to teach your baby to read". my son is a week younger than yours and we have been doing this since he was 5 months old. now when i bring the cards out he claps and gets all excited. everyone laughed when i said i was teaching him how to read, but now we are the ones laughing.

DEBRA - posted on 10/28/2009

Lots of colorful, educational toys that offer music, shapes, numbers and letters and read to him daily. Kids of all ages love Moms to read to them (make sure it is age appropriate), showing the pictures as you do. Also, age appropriate music. Check your area for interactive child groups too.

Amy - posted on 10/28/2009

Even though he is young, I found building blocks great, mys on loves then and the sooner you start interacting with him on builting the better. The Ring stacker is great to...Helping them place the rings over the pole is wonderful for fine motor skills. Crayola has a whole new line of toys for babies six months and up that help with Action and reaction. And of course reading never hurts either. Just a few of the things I have done...