As parents, our ultimate goal is to nurture successful kids—confident individuals who navigate life with resilience, emotional intelligence, and a foundation of positive habits. Keep reading to learn what it takes to raise this type of child. But first, let’s define what kind of ‘success’ we’ll talk about in this article.

Defining ‘Success of Children’

What does it take to nurture brilliance in your child? While academic achievements are essential, true success is unique to each child. We shall seek to understand a child’s interests and hobbies as well as academic success, as these play a crucial role in defining their personal success. 

The 12 Secrets to Raising Brilliant Children

As a parent, guardian, or mentor, your influence on your child’s future is immeasurable. There’s no single secret to raising exceptional children, but you can take specific actions to help them thrive.

To guide you on this path, we’ve compiled a list of 12 effective habits that can cultivate a successful child and adult in the future.

1. Be There When They Need You

One of the most debated topics in parenting is how to handle adversity. Create a balance between being too supportive and allowing them to face all their challenges independently. Balanced independence fosters self-reliance and problem-solving skills.

2. Develop Emotional Intelligence in Children

Encourage emotional intelligence in your child by modeling self-compassion, empathy, and effective communication. Establishing strong and meaningful connections with others is crucial for achieving both happiness and success. Teach them that understanding and managing emotions are valuable life skills.

Allow your child to enjoy the benefit of emotional intelligence in our Genius Activator Program.

3. Set High Expectations and Values for Achievements

Research from the University of Essex suggests that having high expectations for your children, especially when consistently reminded, can lead to better educational and career outcomes. High expectations set the foundation for a strong work ethic and create a determination to win.

4. Create a culture of reading to your child.

For young children, involve them in storytelling. This fosters intellectual empathy and helps them understand the thoughts and motivations of others. Children learn the power of perspective and empathy by actively participating in storytelling.

5. Praise Effort, Not Innate Abilities 

In a 2016 speech, Jeff Bezos highlighted the importance of praising effort over innate abilities. This encourages problem-solving skills and perseverance in your children because it emphasizes that hard work and dedication lead to success.

6. Offer Praise Generously – Encouragement for Performance

Celebrate and praise your child on specific things. A 2017 study found that children who received thoughtful praise (specific and focused on the child’s effort or improvement) performed better on tasks and were more motivated to learn than children who received general praise (that is not specific or focused).

For example, instead of saying “good job,” say “I like how you used different colors in your drawing.”
Praising your child’s achievements (big or small) helps to also foster a positive self-image.

7. Assign Chores – Teach Responsibility

Chores teach responsibility and a sense of contribution. By involving your children in household tasks, they learn that they are part of a team and that their contribution helps the family unit.

Read our blog on, ‘Smart Parenting Tips on 10 Proven Ways to Cultivate Brilliance in Your Child’ here

8. Encourage Passion Pursuit 

Let your children follow their passions. Internal passion can be as important as other factors in their success. Encourage them to explore their interests so as to build a well-rounded and fulfilled individual.

9. Rotate Their Toys to Foster Creativity

While this advice is primarily for parents with young children, it’s related to fostering passion. Research published in Frontiers of Psychology (2019) suggests that children with fewer toys tend to have more creative and imaginative play. Encourage your child to focus on one activity at a time. Limiting choices can enhance focus and stimulate creativity.

10. Prioritize Outdoor Play – Healthy Habits and Brain Development

Ensure your children spend time outdoors. Physical activity and outdoor play are linked to academic success. Limiting outdoor time or using it as a punishment can hinder their academic growth. Outdoor play promotes overall health and well-being.

11. Introduce Video Games Mindfully – Moderation is Key

Kids spend a significant amount of time looking at screens, and studies indicate that children who play at least 30 minutes of video games have better cognitive abilities. However, moderation is key, and you may need to monitor their screen time to maintain a healthy balance.

12. Teach Good Sleep Habits – Essential for Brain Development

Prioritize healthy sleep habits in your children. Insufficient sleep can impact cognitive development. Children who get enough rest tend to perform better in various areas of life. Establish a consistent bedtime routine to support their overall well-being.

Final Take Away

Parenting is a journey filled with learning experiences. By incorporating these 13 habits, you can help your children grow into successful, well-rounded individuals.

If you are ready to unlock your child’s full potential, join the Genius Activator Program that equips them with the tools, mindset and knowledge to foster resilience, emotional intelligence, and success. Click here to learn more!