Determinants of Child Intelligence

Every parent would want their children to grow up healthy and intelligent. Various efforts done to improve the intelligence of children, ranging from pray, educate, to give supplements. However, what exactly is the main factor driving the child's intelligence?

Dr. Rini Sekartini, SpA, of RSCM Jakarta, said that the factors that determine the optimal growth and development, including the intelligence of a child, is genetic and environmental. Both these factors were related to each other.

"There are children of parents who are both doctors, but raised the same assistant high school educated, so the result will be different. There are also children of parents mediocre could then high school. Thus, both genetic environment must be supported well, "he said in Jakarta.

He added that the environment should meet the needs of children, one of whom nutrition, immunization, child care everyday, and monitoring of growth and development to determine whether optimal child growth with age.

Interviewed on the same occasion, a pediatrician from RSCM Jakarta, Dr. Yoga Devaera, SpA., Warned that nutritional factors not only be the determining factor of children's intelligence. Meanwhile, most parents consider giving certain supplements in children can make their children become more intelligent.

"There are parents who think more and more supplements, children will be more clever. Though the growth and development of children is also affected by three things: genetics, stimulation, and nutrition," he added.