Five ways to develop your child's IQ, from an expert.

Every parent wants the best for their kid, but when it comes to brain development, many don’t realize that a child’s IQ (Intelligence Quotient) isn’t set in stone. It’s a way to measure thinking skills like problem-solving and learning, and it can actually improve with the right methods.

Maria, a loving mom, knew her daughter Jessica was smart, but something didn’t seem right. Jessica was having a hard time in school, falling behind her classmates, and Maria felt stuck and frustrated, not knowing what to do and how best to handle her situation. Then one of the days while she was taking Jessica to school, she met Dr. Paul, a childcare expert, who was her seat partner in the train. They exchanged pleasantries and got talking afterwards, from their discussion Dr. Paul discovered why she was soo worried and decided to help out by providing her with evergreen strategies that would help her develop her child's memory. Maria started using this few simple but super effective strategies that completely changed Jessica’s progress.

In this article, I’ll share five of those game-changing strategies that helped Maria bring out Jessica’s potential, and they can work for your child too.

Here's the revised version with "spending quality time with your child" included:

1. Planning and Watching Closely:

Planning is not just essential but super essential in child's mental development, as many parents do not have a very clear plan for their children, Here’s a quick question: what’s your plan for your child’s learning? Many parents just rely on what their child learns in school, but that’s not enough. You need to create your own plan for what you want your child to learn at home and be very intentional about it. For example, at different stages of their life, there are things they should know, from personal study habit to character formation to money management and others. Write these down and make a plan, like a to-do list. And don’t just plan — keep an eye on them! Always be there when they need help or if they have questions. It’s important that you’re involved in their life and not leave everything to the school.

Example: Make a weekly schedule where you spend time reading with your child or helping them with homework. Check their progress and give them praise when they do well!

2. Spending Quality Time Together:

One of the best ways to help your child grow is by spending quality time with them. When you spend time together, you build a strong connection, and this helps them feel safe and supported. This also gives you the chance to see what they’re struggling with and what they’re interested in. Whether it’s playing a game, talking about their day, or just hanging out, being present in your child’s life helps them learn better.

Example: Have a “family time” once a week where you do something fun together, like playing a board game, taking a walk, or cooking a meal together. These moments are not only fun but also help your child learn new things and build confidence.

3. Lifelong Learning

Learning is something we do every day, not just in school. Kids pick up habits from what they see, so if you want your child to love learning, show them that you love learning too! Have chats with them about interesting things and ask them questions that make them think. Challenge them with fun games or puzzles and make them curious to learn more. Learning never stops!

Example: Start a conversation like, “Hey, do you know why the sky is blue?” Or share a fun fact you learned. This gets them curious and makes learning fun.

4. Learning Logic and Smart Thinking

Being smart is more than just doing well in school. It’s about thinking outside the box and solving problems in different ways. Encourage your child to read different kinds of books, like stories, history, or even books about how things work. Teach them how to solve problems on their own, and do exercises that make them think, like puzzles. Let them explore the world but be careful about who they hang out with — good friends make a big difference!

Example: Give them brain teasers like, “If you have 3 apples and you give 2 away, how many do you have left?” Or go on nature walks and talk about the different plants and animals you see.

5. Engaging in healthy Competitions:

It’s important for kids to meet others and try new challenges. They might feel like they’re the best in their class, but when they join competitions or meet kids from other places, they get to see what others are doing. This makes them want to get better. You can also let them watch fun educational shows or play games that make them think and solve problems.

Example: Sign your child up for spelling bees or math competitions. Or let them play with educational toys like building blocks or puzzle games that challenge their mind.

6. Healthy Food for a Healthy Min:

While you’re helping your child’s brain grow, don’t forget to feed their body well too! Healthy food is important for their brain to work at its best. Make sure they’re eating good meals with fruits, vegetables, and all the things that keep them strong and smart.

Example: Add more fruits and veggies to their meals, like apples and carrots, and make sure they drink water. A balanced breakfast with eggs and fruits can help them focus better in school.

NOTE ALSO: The secret to helping your child be their best is to stay involved, spend quality time with them, and be consistent in providing them with quality and relevant materials that can nourish their brains, secondly the earlier you start this process the better for you, as it is better to start when the brain is most mailable and flexible as brain development occurs in stages. these are just a few ways to help your child go from average to amazing — tested and trusted!