Introduction:

Every parent we have ever met wants to have a smart child and be a smart parent. Raising a child is the most important responsibility anyone will ever have and can provide the most pleasure and reward.

SMART PARENT/SMART CHILD is the revolutionary philosophy that all children are incredibly intelligent from the moment they are born. When parents have learned understanding, respect, highly developed communication and relationship skills and development related expertise, it is amazing what a child can accomplish and, in fact, each child will achieve his maximum potential.


Our mission is to help you achieve that goal. The key to a child's education and success is a skilled, knowledgeable, informed and educated parent.

This blog addresses specific issues, to really be the best parent possible the book is a must!

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Thoughts on Communication

Sam is an exceptionally friendly, self-sufficient, and assertive sixteen-month old.  He is working hard to master the language skills he so wants to have.  Sometimes he can say short phrases that we understand and it is so exciting to see him succeeding in expressing his needs.

He has an ongoing interaction with other children and sometimes it blows my mind that they will use “baby talk” with him.  It is further concerning that this is occurring in our daycare, where we are totally committed to speaking grammatically correct will an emphasis on well enunciated English.
I am convinced and concerned by my many years of working with children, that the tendency for the general population and many parents to speak to children in a “made for baby” language is pervasive.

My experience has prompted some serious questions:

1.       Are we (Americans) the only culture that dumbs down our language with our young children?
2.       Why do we distort words like Doggie, Horsie ect or make up works like Boo-Boo and think that it is cute?
3.       Why do we repeat words the way a child initially enunciates and continue to say them incorrectly?
4.       This practice gives the impression that parents do not want their children to sound intelligent and educated, why is this?

We consider communication and extremely important area of development.  It builds confidence, reduces frustration, problem solves, advances children socially and academically.
I advise all parents to follow these simple guidelines:

-Speak to your child all the time.  Tell them what is happening and what you expect from them.
-Always use the correct terminology.
-Correct unclear enunciation, sentence structure and grammatical content by simply saying “(Child’s Name) this is how you say it” and have them repeat it.
-Do not make any negative statements about their speech, always keep it positive!
-Be 100% consistent.
-Applaud their unexpected or exceptional verbal skills.
-Share this strategy with anyone who is interacting with your child so there is no confusion regarding your expectations.

One of the joys of parenthood is having interesting and exciting conversations with your child. Do the work and enjoy the results!

Thursday, April 16, 2015

A "Throw Back"

A couple of years ago, when coming in from outside play time at the daycare, I put on a CD that I had just purchased, Peter, Paul & Mary.  I started track 2, one of my personal favorite songs, Blowin' In The Wind.

Immediately the children had an amazing reaction to it.  At first, they all became quiet, listening to the song.  Then one child went and picked up a doll and began to dance with it.  The rest of the children quickly followed suit.  By the end of the song they were all singing along while dancing with the dolls!  It was a truly amazing, brilliant moment to witness.  The very next day all of the children requested the same song and had a repeat performance with the dolls and the singing.  The next week I asked a father of one of the children to come film it, the video of which you will find below.  It is wonderful to witness the creativity and intellect on display here that was not shaped by anyone but the children themselves!  I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Phyllis Anka's Story on how Smart Parent Smart Child came to be

     Who would have guessed that at 81 I am on a committed journey to get my message ad practical parenting handbook Smart Parent Smart Child out to the world to help ensure that every child will reach their maximum potential.

     For as long as I can remember I wanted to be a child psychologist. When I was preparing for my college future I was told that I was too young to enter into the pre-med program that was the path to being a child psychologist, so I went into science.

     Shortly after I was married and had four children.  I realized much later in life that these parenting years were critical in developing, refining, and confirming my belief that children were incredibly intelligent from the moment they are born.  Being a stay at home mom, I was able to use my commitment, instincts, dedication and love to practice my formulating philosophy about children and the best ways of being a parent.

     I returned to work when they all were in school and ended up in the maternity business.  I loved the fact that I was still connected to parents at a very important time in their lives, and at the same time indirectly connect to children.  As I advanced to the upper executive levels, my connection to parents and children became further removed.  Finally after achieving senior VP I realized that I wanted to get back to working directly with children.

     In that moment I quit my job and opened a family day care.  I knew exactly what I wanted it to look like and what my role would be in the children’s lives.  I had no idea that my philosophy for teaching children was going to be so revolutionary.  I saw these children accomplish amazing things and perform far beyond everyone’s expectations.   


     However, I quickly realized that the parents were all unskilled and uneducated in their parenting role and in dire need of clear guidance.  This led to two years of waking up at 4:00am and sitting to write.  After many early morning and collaboration with my daughter Cynthia Anka, we gave birth to the handbook Smart Parent Smart Child, a book which can help parents ensure that child achieves their maximum potential! 

I wish every parent the best!

-Phyllis