1. Snooze time
   It is essential that children get the proper amount of rest. Follow the recommendations of your pediatrician – at least eight hours per night. Not only will your kids be more alert and ready to learn, they will have much happier attitudes. Set a bed time for your child and stick to it.
2. Exercise that brain
   Your child’s brain is like a sponge ready to soak up everything it comes across. Age appropriate games help to stimulate his mind and gain many varied skills. Board games, building blocks, puzzles, checkers and chess are just a few examples of games that also build smarts.
3. Physical activity
   You thought recess was just for fun? Children have loads of energy and need to burn it off. Whether it’s organized sports or just playing in the yard, children need physical activity to stimulate their senses. A study by the University of Illinois concluded that fit children perform better academically. They also have higher levels of self-esteem and confidence. Get out there and play with your kids!
4. Music
   Research from the University of Toronto showed that children who studied music have higher IQ’s as adults. Music feeds the soul and brightens imaginations. Music is a tremendous vehicle to open up your child’s mind to many new wonders.
5. Video games
   There are many games on the market now designed to develop your child’s learning skills. They promote strategic thinking, creativity and teamwork. Many video games have downsides obviously, but some can also be wonderful at developing motor-skills and memory. Plus they are fun!
6. Garbage in, Garbage out
   Your child needs to be fed regular and nutritious meals. A steady stream of junk food creates children who are more prone to illness. They will also lack the proper nutrients, like iron, for healthy brain tissue growth. Your Mama told you to eat your vegetables for a reason!  Show the same love to your children.
7. Read
   The most cost-effective and never-failing way to grow your child’s learning abilities is encouraging them to read. Read to your child as early as much as possible. There is no such thing as too much reading. Keep plenty of books in your house. Be sure to pick one up for yourself. Those little eyes are always looking to see what you are doing. Let them see you entrenched in a great story.
8. Stable environment
   In order to achieve their very best, children need to always feel secure. Give them a steady and reliable home environment. Life happens. Things change. Always remember even the smallest changes effect your child in some form or fashion. Moving, arguing and various family traumas can wreak havoc on performance in school. Think of your child before you act. She is very delicate and should be treated as such.
9. Real-life experience
   Make sure your children get out and see the world around them. Take them to the park. Take them to the mountains. The zoo. The beach. Take them on a simple walk. Every single place your child goes is a learning experience. Open your eyes and you’ll find it is for you as well.
10. Old-fashioned work ethic
    Hard work equals success. You child will not be the best, the brightest and the fastest in every aspect of life. We all have our talents and we all have our struggles.  Encourage your child to always try her best. Work as hard as she can and she will have no regrets. This will carry her very far in life no matter her IQ.

This common sense list is courtesy of All Pro Dad, a website devoted to helping fathers be more effective in raising their children.