Many of us parents believe purchasing educational toys or providing them with the latest technology will aid them to be smarter, more creative or at the very least help them to get a head start. But there are rumblings that these assumptions of what helps children learn and develop may well have been based more on effective marketing than on any real proof.

In June, a new study published in the journal Pediatrics showed increased TV viewing can have a negative impact on cognitive development.

The study, led by Dimitri Christakis, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington, found that TV viewing reduces communicaion between children and their parents, and this in turn has implications on language development.

With each hour of TV viewing caregivers spoke 500 to 1,000 fewer words to children. There is a clear connection between heard and spoken words—human interaction—and language development in babies and toddlers.

The research confirms the results from a 2007 study, also led by Christakis, which focused on learning DVDs for babies and toddlers. That study demonstrated the same inevitable result of reduced communication between child and caregiver when the DVDs were watched.

But what about the promising claims of genius?

Well it seems as though there are numerous examples of these parental traps. Remember when Mozart's music was touted as the key that unlocks brilliance? Reality ended up proving that brilliance doesn't come that easily after all. Although music may be pleasing for babies and children, to listen to it doesn't necessarily increase intelligence.

The same holds true for sophisticated computer programs that promise fluency in international languages. According to research led by Patricia Kuhl, Director of the University of Washington's NSF Science of Learning Center and Professor of Speech and Hearing Sciences, children learn languages through real life interactions with people, not via computerized or DVD programs, even if the DVDs feature people speaking the language.

So if these strategies aren't the path to bigger brains, higher marks and subsequently better futures for our children, what exactly is?

As clichéd as it may sound, the best way to brighten your child's future is to provide them with as much love and positive attention as you can. Research consistently shows that children who receive loving care and genuine interest from their parents and caregivers evolve into well-adjusted, high-functioning adults. It all boils down to face-to-face human interaction and communication.

So rather than work overtime to buy your child the latest genius-producing educational toy, spend that extra time with your child—it will make a difference in their development.

Why give kids an allowance?

Clever marketers are constantly targeting children and tempting them to spend money. They are bombarded by everything from Saturday morning commercials disguised as cartoons, to slick ads on billboards, TV, internet, and magazines, More than ever, children need to get savvy about the realities of managing money in today’s material world.

When do I start?

When you notice your child is able to understand the concept of money, this is the best time to start giving an allowance. For most, that will be around grade one when schools include counting and making change as part of the classroom program.

Six tips for a successful allowance:

1. Give an allowance regularly. Children should be able to count on a steady income so they can be in a better position to learn how to budget.
   
2. Give them what you can afford. There are many schools of thought on how much allowance to give. Consider examining what you spend on them per month and then decide what part of that you can hand over. Discuss your plans with your child and be clear what you expect them to pay for. This way they can decide if they want to walk to school to save bus fare, buy that blouse, or go to the movies.
   
3. Let them make their own mistakes. Be careful not to over control your child’s spending. They’ll soon discover they will have to make choices between the things they want and the things they can afford.
   
4. Set up some rules. Set up ground rules for their allowance and let them know that some of their money should be set aside for saving (education and/or rainy days), sharing (birthday presents), and discretional spending (choices of their own).
   
5. Don’t give them advances. If your child has run out of money, learn to say no with respect. Allow them to feel the consequences of what it feels like and then help them focus on what they need to do to resolve their shortfall.
   
6. Watch for changes in needs. As your children grow their money needs will change. Periodically take a pulse to determine if the amount is still appropriate.

It’s not easy for children to understand money, or to manage it wisely. However, it is an important skill they need throughout life. When parents are there to mentor their children through the difficulties that come while they learn, everyone will benefit.