Don't underestimate baby intelligence. The brain of a newborn baby has some 200 billion cells, each primed to form connections with the cells around it. Stimulating the neurons of the brain is the key to their survival. In other words, just like the muscles of the body, the brain works by the principle of "use it or lose it."
The outside world really begins to have an impact on baby intelligence in the fifth month of pregnancy. This is when the neurons of a baby's brain become capable of recognizing sound. Simultaneously, the baby's senses of touch, taste and sight are also developing, as neurons respond to various types of stimulation to form communication pathways.
According to scientific research, newborn babies show a preference for the sounds of the language spoken by their mother during their time in the womb. In other words, babies begin learning their native language even before they are born! Studies have also shown that newborn babies can instantly pinpoint their mother's voice. Babies have even been known to recognize music heard in the womb.
So how should you stimulate your unborn baby? Besides all the talking mothers naturally do during the course of their day, it helps if both parents sing songs and tell stories to the baby. Start doing this at the beginning of the fifth month. Later, when the baby becomes large enough to feel through the mother's belly (around the sixth or seventh month), you can use touch - and even light - to communicate. Simple, playful actions such as pressing back gently against a protruding foot, or shining a flashlight at the mother's belly are enough to enhance baby intelligence. You'll also have great fun observing your baby's reactions!
After birth, the neurons of the brain continue forming connections in response to stimulation received. Here, the dynamic interplay of nature and nurture becomes even more important. While the basic structure of the brain is largely determined by genetics, it is environmental factors that chiefly determine how well that structure gets connected. In other words, the quality of stimulation a child receives has a huge part to play in baby intelligence.
The first five years in a child's life are critical when it comes to baby intelligence. Indeed, the pace of learning during these years is difficult to fathom. While it is impossible to witness the amazing processes going on inside your baby's head, there is no doubt that by providing high-quality stimulation during these important years, you will give your child the best chance of fulfilling her intellectual potential.
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