U.S. Newswire - Environmental Factors Key in Developing Children's Intelligence; New Research Shows How Parents Can Improve the Odds for Higher IQ: "WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 /U.S. Newswire/ -- A child's IQ is shaped long before he/she enters elementary school and is affected more by environmental factors than previously thought, says a new book, which offers advice to parents for improving their children's IQ
Maximizing Intelligence, written by David J. Armor, an education expert and public policy professor at the School of Public Policy at George Mason University, says that intelligence is influenced by a series of factors, and that parents have more impact on a child's developing intelligence than anyone -- or anything -- else.
'Parents have more impact on their child's IQ than any other persons or institutions, including schools,' Armor said. 'The impact is greatest in infancy and early childhood, much less after ages eight or nine. To maximize this impact, parents have to do certain things, even things before their child is conceived.'
The 'to do' list for parents to maximize a child's IQ includes:
1. Finish high school and go as far in school as you can.
2. Wait until you're at least in your 20s to have a child.
3. Get married before having a child and make sure that both parents are involved in raising the child.
4. Limit your family to two children, especially if you have a lower income.
5. Try to have a good income before starting a family.
The second list, after conception, includes:
1. Get good nutrition and prenatal health care to avoid low-weight birth.
2. Breast feed your child -- very important! This ensures essential nutrients for brain growth.
3. Spend as much time as possible instructing your child -- starting as early as possible -- in reading, numbers, shapes, colors, etc. Expose your child to as many experiences outside the home as possible.
4. Nurture your child with love, affection and respect; avoid excessive physical discipline.
The 'nature versus nurture' controversy dates back to at least the 19th century. As students prepare to return to school, and at a time when the public school system in the United States is under attack, this debate has taken center stage in arguments about what accounts for differences in academic achievement. Maximizing Intelligence convincingly argues that, while both genetics and environment play a role in a child's intelligence, environmental factors, especially at an early age, are of primary importance. Working from this premise, Armor shows how intelligence may be heightened."
Maximizing Intelligence, written by David J. Armor, an education expert and public policy professor at the School of Public Policy at George Mason University, says that intelligence is influenced by a series of factors, and that parents have more impact on a child's developing intelligence than anyone -- or anything -- else.
'Parents have more impact on their child's IQ than any other persons or institutions, including schools,' Armor said. 'The impact is greatest in infancy and early childhood, much less after ages eight or nine. To maximize this impact, parents have to do certain things, even things before their child is conceived.'
The 'to do' list for parents to maximize a child's IQ includes:
1. Finish high school and go as far in school as you can.
2. Wait until you're at least in your 20s to have a child.
3. Get married before having a child and make sure that both parents are involved in raising the child.
4. Limit your family to two children, especially if you have a lower income.
5. Try to have a good income before starting a family.
The second list, after conception, includes:
1. Get good nutrition and prenatal health care to avoid low-weight birth.
2. Breast feed your child -- very important! This ensures essential nutrients for brain growth.
3. Spend as much time as possible instructing your child -- starting as early as possible -- in reading, numbers, shapes, colors, etc. Expose your child to as many experiences outside the home as possible.
4. Nurture your child with love, affection and respect; avoid excessive physical discipline.
The 'nature versus nurture' controversy dates back to at least the 19th century. As students prepare to return to school, and at a time when the public school system in the United States is under attack, this debate has taken center stage in arguments about what accounts for differences in academic achievement. Maximizing Intelligence convincingly argues that, while both genetics and environment play a role in a child's intelligence, environmental factors, especially at an early age, are of primary importance. Working from this premise, Armor shows how intelligence may be heightened."
Comments
I understand that yes this might be proven but this does not apply to all cases; I'm quite sure that there are many great philoshpers that have grown up in the worst enviroments and have not been breast feed.
My point is if it dosn't apply to all how can it apply to some. Are you telling me 10 guys who have been breast feed and grew up in a good eviroment are better off intellecturaly vs. 10 in the worst neighborhoods who havn't been breast feed.
S-Dog