Parents eager to support their children’s intellectual development often feel pressure to buy the “right” educational toy, download the best app or invest in pricey workbooks.
But according to an early literacy specialist, boosting a child’s IQ at home is far simpler—and far more human—than many parents realize.
“I get this question a lot: What can I do with my child at home?” Melissa McCall said. “When it really comes down to it, the best way to build intelligence is to talk, sing, read, and play with your child from the day they are born.”
McCall, who holds a master’s degree in education and special education and trains preschool teachers and families in the science of reading, told Newsweek these everyday interactions are rooted in how young brains develop.
“Meaningful, repeated connections and strong relationships build the foundation for all future learning,” she said.
Here are five simple, research-backed ways parents can support cognitive growth at home—no special equipment required.
1. Read Early, Often and Everywhere You Can
McCall encourages parents to read multiple times a day and not limit books to bedtime. “Quite honestly, we are all exhausted by then,” she said. Audiobooks in the car, books during bath time or stories at snack time all count. “The more exposure, the better.”
2. Don’t Skip Nonfiction
While storybooks are valuable, McCall said nonfiction also plays a key role in brain development.
“Reading nonfiction sparks curiosity and leads to greater vocabulary growth and deeper conversations about the world around us. When children can connect what they learn to their real world, learning accelerates,” she said.
3. Sing Songs Together
Singing may feel like play, but it supports early reading skills.
“Songs build repetition and strengthen phonological awareness, which is critical for future reading success,” McCall said.
In a recent study published in the Frontiers in Psychology, researchers examined the relationship between children’s musical experiences—particularly singing and rhythm‑based activities—and the development of phonological awareness, a foundational skill for learning to read.
The study found that children who regularly engaged in singing and rhythm‑based musical activities showed stronger phonological awareness skills, including the ability to recognize rhymes, break words into sounds, and manipulate those sounds mentally.
These skills are widely recognized as critical precursors to reading and language comprehension later in childhood.
4. Talk—And Really Listen
Conversation, McCall said, may be one of the most powerful tools parents have. She pointed to a peer‑reviewed study published in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology showing that frequent back-and-forth exchanges between parents and children are linked to larger and more active language areas of the brain.
The researchers also found that it isn’t the sheer number of words children hear that matters most for cognitive growth, but the quality of interaction—specifically, the amount of back‑and‑forth conversation between children and caregivers.
When reading together, McCall encouraged parents to pause and let children elaborate. “Those back-and-forth discussions are what truly grow the brain,” she said.
5. Make Time For Play
“Play builds curiosity and taps into how children naturally learn,” McCall said. “Give children freedom to explore. Fill your home with open-ended toys that do not rely heavily on electronics. Combine toys intentionally to spark creativity.”
She also urged parents to refrain from looking at their phones during this time so they can fully engage with their children.
Above all, McCall said it’s important to release the pressure to do everything perfectly. “Obsessing over the fanciest materials or the newest program often paralyzes parents from taking the simple steps.
“What matters most is your presence, your voice, and your responsiveness,” she said. “The everyday moments are what shape the brain.”
