[originaltext] As researchers learn more about how children’s intelligence d

As researchers learn more about how children’s intelligence develops, they are increasingly surprised by the power of parents. The power of the school has been replaced by the home. Studies have shown that factors like child’s understanding of language, his learning patterns, and his curiosity are well established before the child enters school at the age of six. Studies have also shown that even after school begins, children’s achievements have been far more influenced by parents than by teachers. This is particularly true about language learning.
    However, it’s sad to see that so many parents are not making the most of their child’s intelligence. Until recently parents had been intimidated by educators who asked them not to educate their children. But many teachers now realize that children cannot be educated only at school and parents are being asked to contribute both before and after the child enters school.
     Parents have been particularly afraid to teach reading at home. Of course, children shouldn’t be pushed to read by their parents, but educators have discovered that reading is best taught individually and the easiest place to do this is at home. Many four-or five-year-old children, who have been shown a few letters and taught their sounds, will spontaneously make up single words of their own with these letters even before they have been taught to read.