Research shows that slowing down your speech, speaking in a higher pitch and giving pauses for the baby to respond makes them smarter. Talking to children as much as possible from birth gives them a head-start and will help prepare them for school.
Research shows that cleaning the house, taking out trash, washing windows or whatever else you might throw at the buggers instills a sense of mastery, self reliance, responsibility, empathy and respect for others — and the sooner you start, the better.