The More Effective Way to Building your Child's Intellect

It is important to teach your child, but it is more important to do it the most effective way. The most effective way is to be patient and loving and kind even when your child repeats mistakes or does not progress at the rapid rate you would like. The most effective way is to teach with empathy—to consider things carefully from your child’s point of view and adjust your teaching to fit his needs.


The most effective way is to protect and treasure the relationship you have with your child more than you value his “intellectual progress.” If your child’s intellectual progress is more important to you than his feelings of acceptance and worthiness, then your efforts as a parent and as a teacher will be limited. You may be able to help your child excel in some areas, but his sense of worth will be compromised. There will be tiny cracks in the mortar of your relationship. To ensure that your child feels good about himself and has a solid relationship with you, you must show love far more often than you show disapproval. You must be kind before you can effectively correct. You must love your child as you lead him.


As you follow the suggestions in this blog and apply them with love, you will grow closer to your child. Your child will feel secure and emotionally nourished. He will sense and experience your love as you engage in teaching and playing with him. If you apply the suggestions in this blog without sufficient love, you will be little more than a pushy, overanxious parent who is raising a disgruntled child.


So how do you find the right balance between appropriately challenging your child with love and pushing him too hard? The next few blogs that I post will suggest two vital answers to that question.


If you are reading...please let me and others know what you think.  Please share your experiences.