Immediately after birth, the baby is like a blank sheet. He quickly absorbs all the information, remembers emotions, learns to think, distinguish between good and evil, etc. Even those children who do not receive a lot of attention are gradually dispelled. However, there are techniques with which you can grow a truly intellectual personality. A smart kid manages to cope with everyday tasks much easier. What method of child development to choose? It is worth exploring different options and give preference to the most suitable.
Infant development up to a year
Loving parents, without realizing it, take an active part in the development of the baby. Touching, kissing, smiling - all this gives its results. And it is not necessary from the first days to choose a specific methodology for the development of the child. Few people know that the manifestation of mental abilities in the crumbs of the first days of life does not depend on parents at all. Certain mechanisms of cognition of the world are embedded in the brain of a small person. All that mothers and fathers should do is create a comfortable environment for the development of the baby. The child should not be hungry or dirty. When discomfort occurs, mechanisms aimed at the development of the baby cease to act. What is the interest to know the world if you want to eat?
In order for the child to develop fully, the mother must help the baby physically. As soon as a small person begins to hold his head (closer to one and a half months), he should be picked up more often, kept upright. Thus, the child will learn the world from various angles. Closer to the fourth month of life, babies can already take toys on their own, study them. Around a small person should be present as many bright safe objects. It is worth remembering that the baby wants to taste the toy. Therefore, it is important to monitor the cleanliness of the room.
Starting from the seventh month of life, there is a rapid mental development of crumbs. Mom should learn how to assess the development of the child. Almost all children at this age can do the same thing. Deviations will be minimal. In the first year of life, crumbs are recommended to visit a pediatrician every month.
Narrow space limits the mental development of a small person. You should not keep your baby in a crib or playpen for a long time. On walks, you should also often hold the baby in your arms, discuss the environment with it. In the house it is necessary to create the most comfortable and safe environment for the baby. Do not scold the baby for scattering toys. This is a normal element of full mental development.
Methodology of Nikolai Zaitsev
After the infant reaches 12 months, it is already possible to actively engage in the process of its mental development. If we consider the methods of development of children 1 year old, it is worth paying attention to the option proposed by Nikolai Zaitsev. The method of mental development of babies involves the use of visual aids. These are various cards and cubes with the image of letters, numbers, fruits, animals and objects.
Zaitsev’s technique is based on a systematic supply of material in small portions. Teaching the baby takes place in a playful way. Most often, such lessons do not bother the children and bring great pleasure. If the baby is tired, it is recommended to stop classes. The physiological perception of the material should be at a high level.
Thanks to the methodology of Nikolai Zaitsev, kids learn to talk very quickly and read closer to three or four years. The main idea is that the elementary element of speech is a couple of letters (warehouse). Such warehouses Nikolai Zaitsev proposed to depict on cards or faces of colorful cubes. A similar principle is training account. On cards and cubes numerical series are represented.
The methodology for developing a child of Nikolai Zaitsev has a huge number of advantages. Each kid who is regularly engaged with begins to read quickly, learns to count even before visiting a preschool. In addition, children develop creative thinking, discover talents. Children who study using the Zaitsev method develop visual memory; they easily memorize poems.
It has such a development scheme and its disadvantages. The classes do not take into account fine motor skills of the hands. But this is very important at the stage of preparing a children's hand for writing. Toddlers really learn to read and count quickly. Against this background, children go on an accelerated program. In the elementary grades of the school, such children are not interested in studying. Therefore, it is important to consider other methods of intellectual development of the child.
Glenn Doman's Technique
Glen Doman is an American scientist who has developed a unique methodology for the early development of children. Interestingly, not one way of mentally perfecting babies in their first years of life caused so much controversy. For the first time, such a methodology for the development of a child began to be used back in the mid-40s of the last century. Glen Doman was a young military doctor who had practice at the Institute for Accelerated Child Development. The specialist concluded that by stimulating the "sleeping" parts of the brain with external stimuli, the mental development of the child can be significantly accelerated.
Initially, the technique was tested on sick children (with the exception of the blind). The kids were shown cards with large red dots. Later cards with words began to be used. The lesson took no more than five minutes. After a month of regular classes, kids who had not previously spoken spoke their first words. Older children quickly learned to read and count.
The purpose of the methodology of children's development is to stimulate mental abilities. Thanks to the activities, the kids, who were considered to be retarded in mental development, quickly caught up with their peers. In addition, classes help to develop faster in the physical plane. Children with whom they practice according to the method of Doman begin to perform complex gymnastic tricks, have other athletic achievements. The scientist proved that the human body even in the first years of life has enormous potential.
It is very easy to develop attention. The technique is suitable for children at any age. But the sooner you get started, the better the result. The scientist proved that the brain grows only when it works. Doman cards can be used from birth. Up to three years, the brain develops most actively. From three to six years of age, brain activity is significantly reduced. However, this does not mean that classes should be discontinued. The plus is that parents themselves can deal with the baby. There is no need to attract specialists.
The downside is that this method of child development shows high efficiency only at an early age. After three years, it is worth considering other options.
Technique Cecile Lupan
How else can you carry out the early development of children up to a year? There are different methods. Special attention deserves the work of Cecile Lupan, a young mother who decided not to trust the upbringing of her kids. Cecile departed from the rigid principles of Doman. The woman was sure that the development of the baby should be interesting and versatile. Initially, Cecile Lupan herself used Doman's technique for the development of her daughter. However, in a short time, a young mother realized that her corrections should be made to the learning process.
What should be the early development of children up to a year? Techniques can be chosen by any. However, it is important that only close people conduct classes with the baby. In the first months of life, no qualified teacher will be able to give the baby the same as mom or dad. The second important point: training is an exciting game. Classes must be stopped even before the baby shows signs of overwork. Using her experience (Cecile - a professional actress) and knowledge, the woman developed interesting activities in which kids could quickly develop mentally and physically. The young mother tested the technique on her children.
The basic principle is this: learning should only be fun. In addition, Cecile proposes to abandon excessive custody. The child must learn to solve their problems on their own. We must not forget about feelings. Scientists have long proved that children who are regularly hugged and kissed develop much better mentally and physically.
The Cecile Lupan technique is suitable for babies from birth to five years. Close communication between kids and parents very quickly shows good results. Unfortunately, many parents pay little attention to sincere cognitive communication, not wanting to answer "stupid questions." But this is the main mistake that does not allow children to develop fully.
The technique shows really good results. However, you need to be prepared for the fact that the child will have to devote a lot of time. This method of early development is not suitable for short-tempered authoritarian parents.
Waldorf pedagogy
If we consider the methods of development of school-age children, it is worth paying attention primarily to this option. The bottom line is that when learning, you must first focus on the personality of a particular child. There are no special tricks. Education is just the real life of a child in a comfortable family climate.
Waldorf pedagogy was founded by the scientist Rudolf Steiner, who paid special attention to the development of school-age children. In 1907, the book Education of the Child was born. Here, for the first time, effective teaching principles were revealed. In 1919, Rudolph headed the kindergarten, and then the school for the children of the employees of the Waldorf-Astoria factory. Hence the name of the technique.
Rudolf Steiner was one of the first to note that childhood is a special period in the life of every person. If the child remains “small” for as long as possible and lives in a comfortable family atmosphere, he manages to adapt much more easily in adult life in the future. Steiner’s technique is based on respect for childhood. Each child develops at his own pace. The main task is the development of natural abilities. Every child must believe in himself - and he will succeed.
If we consider the development methods of primary school children, it is also worth taking into account the work of Rudolf Steiner. He paid special attention to the organization of the space of the child. The kid in the first school years can perfectly develop if nothing suppresses his freedom. Therefore, in schools that teach according to the Steiner principle, in addition to school desks and blackboards, there are soft toys, a drawing corner, and boxes with a designer.
Rudolf Steiner paid special attention to toys. Solid objects with sharp corners are not recognized. Preference is given to toys made from natural materials. A wooden designer or a self-sewn doll is especially popular.
Free play is the main activity of the child. Moreover, the “Waldorf” children have no rules at all. They play as much as they want and what they want. Teachers only monitor the safety of students.
Musical development of children
It is believed that a baby who, from an early age, correctly perceives music, learns to read and count faster, develops well in the physical plane. There are various methods of musical development of children. The works of Sergey and Ekaterina Zheleznovov are very popular. Spouses have a pedagogical and musical education. Thanks to the playful form, methodologists provide children with important information. In this case, classes are selected in accordance with the age characteristics of the baby. The most popular is the method of development of a child of 4 years. It is believed that at this age the most rapidly strengthened mental abilities through the game.
The second principle of the “musical” technique is that children should be taught through motor activity. While moving to bright music, the child receives positive emotions, and “sleeping” areas of the brain open. After such physical exertion, any information is absorbed much faster.
All classes are held to music in a playful way. The teacher or parents show the baby certain movements. In this case, the pupil himself decides whether to repeat it or not. Nobody forces anyone. The Zheleznovs technique allows developing musical servants and rhythm in children. As a result of interaction with various objects, fine motor skills of the hands perfectly develop. Close contact with mom allows you to speed up the process of quality mental and physical development.
Classes are suitable for those who are considering the methods of early development of children 3 years old. However, you can start preparing your baby much earlier. Even one year old babies can move perfectly to the beat of the music.
Nikitins technique
This methodology for the development of children of 6 years and older caused a huge amount of controversy, despite the fact that here simple principles are used that are accessible to any family. The early development technique was developed by the Nikitins - Boris and Elena. Teachers used the selected principles in the process of raising their own families. Many teachers use the Nikitin methodology today. However, there are also those who consider this way of learning to be limited, not suitable for many families.
Children of the Nikitin spouses from early childhood developed independence. They learned from their own mistakes, gained experience. This was completely uncharacteristic of the society of those times. To the surprise of those around them, the Nikitins showed excellent results. The level of their development corresponded to the level of children who were 3-5 years older. Even before attending school, the kids learned to write and read. The technique also contributed to the active physical development of the children.
Nikitins were convinced that most adults choose the wrong approach when dealing with a child. Caring for the baby comes down to everyday necessities. Parents only make sure that the child is full and dressed. And the learning process happens by itself. At the same time, parents take an indirect part in the development of the child, help him, direct him in the right direction. The basic principle: a small person can do absolutely everything. Moreover, he is also responsible for his actions. Parents discuss the situation with the child, help him make a conclusion.
According to the Nikitin methodology, parents should promote creative freedom. Children independently choose what and how much to do. Close proximity to nature is also encouraged. Guys who are in a natural environment, develop well and get sick less. Particular attention is paid to physical development. Children who develop according to the Nikitins' technique, as a rule, attend various sections (choose independently).
"School of the Seven Dwarfs"
Almost every method of speech development of preschool children can be successfully applied at home without the involvement of specialists. No exception is the "School of the Seven Dwarfs." This is a series of books with pictures, thanks to which each child can perfectly develop mentally. The plus is that the developmental books have different subjects (“in the store”, “in the circus”, “for a walk”, etc.) therefore they almost never bother children. Children with parents review books, discuss what they see. Thus, the vocabulary is quickly replenished, memory is trained.
Experts note that the "School of the Seven Dwarfs" should pay attention to those who consider methods of development of children from 1 year. During this period, the most active development of brain regions responsible for memory and speech is observed. It is up to two years that the children form the basis of perception of reality.
There is no single author of the School of the Seven Dwarfs. When creating instructive books, elements of other popular techniques were used. So, children visually perceive the picture, by ear perceive the information that the mother pronounces, they try to imitate the main characters of the story. Thus, the baby develops mentally, physically and emotionally.
The plus is that such classes can be carried out from birth.In addition to vivid pictures and interesting stories in the books there are fascinating tasks that kids are happy to perform. There are also incentive prizes for the correct performance in the form of bright stickers. For each age, a developmental book is selected individually (there is a special instruction).
The technique of Maria Montessori
There are many methods for diagnosing the development of preschool children. If the baby is behind its peers, it is worth making an appointment with a specialist. It is possible that you will have to work out with a teacher. Many people prefer to develop their wards using the technique of Maria Montessori. She created her own training system. The methodology for the development of a child of 4 years and older helps babies to start reading, writing and counting earlier. However, today, schools of early development are opening more and more often, in which one-year-old babies can study with their mothers.
The essence of the method is that each child can learn the world independently. Adults need only give a little push. The teacher only creates a special environment in which a small person can fully develop. In the room in the public domain are various attractive materials - paints, wooden cubes, water. Thus, each baby develops at his own pace, does exactly what he wants.
The task of a teacher who works on the Montessori system is to consider the individuality of a particular child behind pranks. As practice shows, far from everyone has enough patience with this technique. However, those who go to the end manage to achieve really good results. The teacher is just an interested observer who only monitors the safety of the child.
In groups using the Montessori method, children in different age categories can be trained at the same time. And this is another plus. Younger children imitate older ones, and older kids feel responsible for classmates.
It has a technique and its drawbacks. Most often, the child is left to his own devices; there are no role-playing and outdoor games. In addition, after the democratic atmosphere prevailing in Montessori groups (everything is possible here), children are very difficult to get used to standard schools and kindergartens. The technique can also suit shy children. Such kids will not be able to ask for help if something does not work out for them.
The benefits and harms of early development
There are many methods for diagnosing the development of preschool children. When the kid enters kindergarten, psychologists and qualified teachers work with him. Experts agree that the children are developing well in the team, and there is no need for additional stimulation of mental activity.
Is it worth it to additionally deal with the child? Do I need a special method of speech development of preschool children? How to educate your baby, everyone decides for himself. However, it should be understood that accelerated development is also not good. Children who in the first years go a step faster than their peers (they can read and write much earlier), subsequently poorly establish contacts. Many of these guys become outcasts. After all, they are different from others.
However, you do not need to go to extremes and throw the development of the child to its own course. Joint pastime, attention and love are the best elements of the full existence of a child at any age.