Smart kids, are any parent’s dream. In their earnestness to raise smart children, parents often cross the fine line segregating smartness and sassiness. While a smart child is nice to have around, a sassy one is dreaded. Parents are often caught between inculcating politeness and firmness. The Oxford Dictionary defines ‘smartness’, as being, clever, neat, elegant, brisk and forceful. Smart parents raise smart children. Below are tips for raising smart children.

1. Clothes Make The Man And So Does Behavior: Definitely a well-dressed child looks smart; but is he smart in his thinking and behavior? A certain level of hyperactivity is a part of childhood, and can be ignored. However, a vital tip for raising smart children, is to ensure that they’re courteous too. An impudent child is very uncouth and boorish in the making. You, as parents can have mock settings, where you can point the difference between being bold and being brazen. Insolent children think no end of themselves, as they’re so very full of themselves. A thoughtful and considerate child is more endearing than an over-smart one.
2. Academically smart: A clever child is also in any parent’s wish-list. However, bookish knowledge seldom helps. Help children learn to translate theory into application. Make their environment conducive to learning, questioning, experimenting and even erring. A curious mind is like a wet sponge soaking information; an eager mind enjoys applying knowledge. Have sessions discussing unusual phenomena like world timings, climatic conditions in ‘down-under’, of how chameleons change colors etc. As they dilate their pupils in wonder, their mind expands too. Make monotonous lessons fun!
3. Accepting Differences: While some children are academically inclined, not all are. Nothing wrong with that. Although not all parents can have an Einstein, the trick is to have a Picasso, or even a Florence Nightingale! True, grades matter, but in the pursuit of grades, let their other skills not be affected. If the world is full of scientists, who is going to entertain frayed nerves? A good public speaker is smarter than a pensive scientist! An important tip for raising smart children, is not to compare differences in children, but to celebrate their differences!
4. Smart Leader In The Making: Leadership is all about taking initiative and responsibility. Give them age-appropriate tasks and ensure that they complete them alone. Praise them for their efforts. Be firm with pesky partners, friends or family who believe children shouldn’t be burdened with responsibilities. A child assigned age-appropriate responsibilities, irrespective of gender, will cultivate leadership. No work is below anyone’s dignity. Learning a new skill, which will enable him to motivate others, empathize, find intelligent solutions and boost self-esteem.  
5. Smart Children Are Independent: Some parents hover around their children choosing the color of their outfit, or choosing friends! Parents aren’t immortals. One tip for raising smart children is to allow autonomy. Let them experiment and even err.
6. Being Responsible For One’s Actions: Do not bail them out, even if you have clout. If you’re the minister, but an over protective parent, your child will continue to be recognized only as a minister’s child. Let them learn the consequences of their actions. Perhaps they’ll fail if they didn’t work hard, but you’ll be strengthening their character by inculcating values. They can’t be children forever.
7. Aggressiveness vs. Assertiveness: Arguing isn’t a crime. If you’re alarmed that your child often argues, don’t curb them. Only rational children argue. By ceiling their feelings, you’ll be making them more rebellious. An advice for raising smart children is teaching them to channel their aggression into assertiveness. If you put a lid on a vessel containing boiling water, the lid will fall off. Let them vent steam appropriately. 
8. Do They Wheedle? Some children get their way by being persuasive. Although not welcoming always, they’re better negotiators than those who’re aggressive or whine. But draw the line to teach them self-control and empathy.
9. Brainstorm: Teaching them to handle crisis, to manage their emotions, to be a people’s person are all essential in raising smart children. They’ll have to ultimately fight their own battles. What if they lose a game; how to face stage-fear? Have mock sessions; present alternatives with consequences. Handling emotions is emotional intelligence, which is important than intelligence quotient! Toughen up your daughters to handle eve-teasers and molesters; let your sons learn self-control.
10. Getting Around A Problem: There’s no easy way to all problems. If they can’t get over a problem, teach them to get around it. Teach them to be winners and not whiners.
11. Conquer Self Before Conquering The World: Lastly, discern whether your child is power-hungry. If so, why? Napoleon Bonaparte was avaricious, but his avarice led to destruction, all because of his stature! Channel this thirst for power into proper careers wherein they can use their wisdom for the overall good of humankind.