Monday November 2, 2009, 3:12 am
I'd just suggest that any parents and parents-to-be find multiple sources to consult before taking some of these actions.
There is good info here - do turn OFF the TV and interact tons with your baby. Do spend tons and tons of time socializing your child. Read to your child and tell stories to your child. Sing to your child. The Omega3 recommendation should be checked out because so many sources of Omega3 are contaminated with mercury and heavy metals and even toxins - so I'd suggest that it matters where you get the Omega3. I hadn't heard the recommendation against tap water, but it should be based on your local tap water rather than a blanket recommendation.
Finally, I don't like recommendations for specific toys - too many toys these days stifle imagination rather than stimulating it (where have all our problem-solvers gone?) and most parents don't know the critical criteria necessary for choosing among them. Too many toys and videos are sold based on false or untested claims for increasing or improving intelligence and reasoning-skills. And these days, many parents may find those toys out of reach or be making hard choices.

There are some critical criteria for successful child development and it pays off for parents to know what they are. Language skills are critical - humans use language to process information into long term memory and to remember and recall it. Strong language skills are critical to overall success in any modern society. Children who read will have better language skills than children who watch TV (even instructional videos).
Tell stories so children will learn criteria for behavior and for choices, and learn them in context so they can apply them in their own lives. Remember the classics like the Mother Goose stories, the fairy tales (there is a Cinderella story in many different cultures that differs from the Disney one but has the same story line, because it has value as a story). I did some research with Dr. Kulhavy at Ariz State on how stories work to help us remember things beyond the basic story line, so teach your children values and compassion and honesty and consideration and deliberation by telling stories. Teach your children about their heritage and their family and their history using stories too. And it's OK (recommended really) to practice. Tell the story to yourself in the car (or silently on the bus/train) on the way to work or while you're jogging or in the gym. Make the story interesting as well as informative (it's not hard but practice helps). Remember that being a good story teller has its own rewards, and that it is a skill that helps you in your life outside parenting too.
Overall, remember that many brilliant people were raised during times when no technology (TV, videos, toys and games, or computers) were available at all. And remember that the most important and critical aspect in your child's development is quality time and interaction with YOU!!

Monday November 2, 2009, 4:57 am
young mothers can make good use of this.

Monday November 2, 2009, 4:59 pm
I don't like the idea of intentionally trying to raise intelligent or smart kids. It should be a result, but not a cause. Just love the kids and try to know their natural development. Answer their needs. They learn from you, and people around them. If your life style is healthy and active, I believe that's enough.