Albert Einstein's one-word advice for raising a smarter child resurfaces — thanks to a mother’s simple question

A mother once asked Einstein how to make her child smarter — his one-word reply is going viral again

We often picture intelligence as something built with strict routines, rigorous studying and high grades. We push our children to memorize facts and follow instructions, hoping it will lead to success.

But what if one of the greatest geniuses of all time believed the real key to intelligence was something much more magical?

Albert Einstein, the man who reshaped our understanding of the universe, had a surprising piece of advice for parents. He didn't recommend more math drills or science kits. Instead, he suggested: "Fairy tales and more fairy tales."

This unexpected recommendation comes from a story shared in a 1958 article in Montana Libraries. The author, Rita McDonald, recounted a tale about a mother who asked Einstein how she could prepare her son to become a scientist.

To her surprise, Einstein’s answer was “fairy tales.” When the mother protested, thinking this was too frivolous, Einstein insisted. He explained that "creative imagination is the essential element in the intellectual equipment of the true scientist, and that fairy tales are the childhood stimulus of this quality." (Source: Library of Congress Blog, which rediscovered this article).

Einstein famously disliked rigid, authority-based schooling. He believed true learning thrived on joy, curiosity, and independent thinking. In a letter to his own son, he advised him to play the piano pieces he enjoyed most, even if his teacher hadn't assigned them, because that was the way to learn the most when you're having fun. (Source: The Marginalian).

It’s important to choose inclusive and modern fairy tales that avoid negative stereotypes. The goal is to open a child's mind, not limit it.

While the world pushes for more memorization and standardized testing, Einstein's wisdom points in a different direction. He understood that the scientists and innovators of tomorrow aren't just those who can remember facts, but those who can imagine what has never been.