1 of 24

Write now Article Tools

There is no doubt that speaking to children from the minute they are born (and even before) will have a tremendous impact on their intellectual development. It is also true that a child, especially in the early years, is sponge and that the brain development during this time is very active. If you say the word assiduous enough times to your three-year-old, he'll pick it up. But what is it going to help to have a three year old who can say the word assiduous?

We have to be careful not to get too focused on only one kind of "intellectual development". Speaking to your children not only helps them to learn language skills, but also builds their their emotional intelligence and their ability to relate to people in a healthy way. Your children will learn from you how to appropriately communicate to others.
It goes without saying that your main goal in speaking to your child should be for connection. Don't worry about how big your words are. For parents who work, don't how worry about how many hours in day you spend speaking to your child. Here quality and not necessarily quantity is the most important thing. Just speak. This is what children thrive on. It opens them up, and it will help them later in life to use all of their innate abilities, including the intellectual ones, to their maximum. But if your main goal is to turn Junior into a little Einstein, then know that your child is going to pick up on it. And while he may have an extensive vocabulary, he may be quite limited in his ability to relate to others and himself.

Learn more about this author, Simi Brown.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Why talking to your child is essential for intellectual development?
We want to hear your view. Write now!