Early education methods for teaching children to be smart

Early intelligence education for children is a trend that has attracted increasing attention due to the outstanding benefits it offers young children. So what are the benefits and the methods of early intelligence education? Many studies have shown that teaching children to be smart early from the first years of life helps develop a child’s intellect, personality, and social skills. The following article provides an overview of the benefits as well as common early-education methods. Benefits of early intelligence education Stimulating the brain and developing intelligence During the golden period from 0 to 6 years old, early education helps stimulate the child’s brain development. Many studies have shown that children who are guided and educated early often have better logical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities than their age-matched peers. Forming personality and social skills In an early-education environment, children learn to interact, share, and work in teams. These values play a crucial role in building character and developing positive social skills for children. Enhancing self-learning and independence When encouraged to study from an early age and work independently, children form thinking habits and self-guided exploration of knowledge, laying the foundation for increased self-confidence in life. Common educational methods to teach early intelligence Glenn Doman Method - The Secret to Raising an Intelligent Child The method is named after the renowned physical therapist Glenn Doman. Glenn Doman believed that brain development can be strongly promoted if applied with the right method, especially in the first six years of life—the golden period for children to absorb and learn. The Flashcard method — a special educational tool containing images, words, and numbers. Initially creates a fun and engaging environment; parents will show the cards quickly to the child, topic by topic. Daily repetition of this activity helps the child become familiar with and remember better, while also stimulating the brain and natural learning abilities. Using flashcards is not only a learning method but for children it is also a very enjoyable game. The Glenn Doman method also emphasizes the role of movement. Parents should join the child in activities such as crawling, walking, running, jumping… so the whole family stays healthy and it also helps the child develop intelligence and agility. Montessori Method - A Comprehensive Approach to Educating the Whole Child Montessori creates a flexible learning environment where children are free to explore and learn according to their abilities and interests. The Montessori method builds a solid foundation for holistic development, turning children into confident, independent, and highly creative individuals. Montessori places the child at the center of learning; teachers and parents act as guides and provide support only when needed. Children are free to explore the surrounding world in their own way, while also learning to take care of themselves from small tasks like washing hands, dressing, tidying up toys instead of depending on adults. Educational materials are specially designed for children to learn independently and explore areas such as language, mathematics, geography, history, science, music, art, and physical education. Children will learn in both Vietnamese and English, providing a solid language foundation from an early age. Each day, children will have at least 3 hours of learning with Montessori materials. This time not only helps children absorb knowledge but also develops important skills such as perseverance, independence, creativity, and adaptability. Over time, with the knowledge and skills they self-accumulate, children will be confident, active, and eager to expand their understanding of the world and the important values in life. Reggio Emilia Method: Unbounded Exploration and Creativity The Reggio Emilia education approach places special emphasis on children’s creative thinking through hands-on activities such as drawing, carving, and shaping. Each classroom is designed to help children build their own knowledge base through interest and curiosity. In each class, children are exposed to materials such as models, various kinds of pens, paints, and clay. This is an ideal environment for children to freely propose ideas, interact with materials, and explore the world around them in the most creative way. The Reggio Emilia approach encourages children to ask questions, compare, and cross-check to derive lessons themselves rather than impose rigid theories. Children are free to explore and solve problems in their own way, helping develop reasoning and creativity, as well as learning to think critically. The learning environment, parents, and teachers form the important triad involved in the child’s learning process, building a cohesive learning community and accompanying the child’s development. The method also encourages children to learn to love and protect nature, as well as to have a strong connection between family and school. Waldorf (Steiner) Method - Education through a Connection with Nature and Natural Creativity The Waldorf (Steiner) method focuses on teaching early intelligence through activities close to nature, limiting technology use, and encouraging children to develop creativity naturally. This method values emotional, intellectual, and physical development, guiding children to connect with nature and grow in a harmonious and balanced way. Children will regularly participate in practical activities such as gardening, learning music, or practicing art to foster natural creativity. Gradually reduce the use of technological devices during the learning process to help children avoid negative effects from the digital environment. In the preschool years, children perform the entire process from idea to creating toys and educational tools from natural materials such as fabric, wool, and wood. In elementary school, Waldorf encourages children to imagine and think logically through subjects like art, crafts, mathematics, language, science, and more. Each subject is not only a learning tool but also an opportunity to explore and develop passions, discovering personal strengths. Three No’s is a hallmark of the Waldorf method: No emphasis on achievements, no report cards, and no pressure on children. This is an ideal condition for children to develop freely and learn without constraint, free from expectations or evaluation pressures. In addition to these methods, there are ways to help children become smarter that not every parent knows. Parents should regularly guide to help develop both IQ and AQ. Early intelligence education is not only an investment in a child’s future but, more importantly, in building a developing society. Providing guidance on the right method and accompanying the child throughout the learning process is the key to helping the child realize their full potential