Interestingly, scientific studies have revealed another factor: the impact of birth month on IQ.
A team of psychologists from Harvard University conducted a seven-year longitudinal study on 11,321 boys and 10,802 girls.
During this period, the researchers meticulously recorded important data such as intelligence, height, weight, and other factors for children at different stages. After a thorough analysis and comparison, they found a strong correlation between birth month and various growth indicators.
For example, children born between September and November tend to perform better in the following three aspects:
They score, on average, 1-6 points higher on intelligence tests, have a weight advantage of 0.21 kg, and are 0.2 cm taller than their peers.
This Harvard University study sparked widespread attention and discussion in the academic community. Even some professional child development research organizations and scientific groups from other leading universities conducted a series of related studies.
For instance, through research and investigations in the field of American football, an astonishing phenomenon was discovered: Many excellent football players were born in September and October.
Additionally, renowned universities in China, such as Fudan University, Zhejiang University, Xiamen University, and Nankai University, also analyzed the birth dates of their new students. The statistical results from Xiamen and Nankai Universities showed that most students were born in September and October, while Zhejiang and Fudan Universities had the highest number of students born in October.
Surprising research data from multiple sources indicated that September, October, and November are considered the “smart months.”
Why does this happen?
After analyzing the opinions of various researchers, three reliable explanations emerged:
Children born in the “smart months” start school later
From a medical perspective, there are developmental differences between children of the same age. Older children tend to have better concentration, comprehension, and social communication skills, which gives them an advantage in learning.
Children born between September and November are usually among the oldest in their class when they start school. This means they tend to have better concentration, learning abilities, and self-regulation in the classroom, setting a solid foundation for intellectual development.
Children born in the “smart months” have better gross motor development
According to the gross motor development milestones, children born between September and November will reach crucial stages, such as crawling and walking, typically in spring or summer when the weather is more favorable.
The warmer temperatures in these seasons allow children to wear less clothing, providing a more comfortable environment for physical activity and gross motor skill development.
Neuroscientific research indicates that children with better gross motor skills tend to exhibit superior intellectual development.
Children born during these months have more opportunities to develop their gross motor skills fully and comprehensively, establishing a stronger foundation for improving their intelligence.
Children born in the “smart months” follow the natural growth laws
For children born between September and November, the first trimester of pregnancy (January to March) occurs during late winter and early spring, when the climate is mild. This leads to better appetite and nutrition for the mother, less pollution in the air, and an overall healthier environment for the developing fetus.
The third trimester falls in late summer and early autumn, a time of abundant fruits and vegetables. The fetus undergoes rapid development during this period, benefiting from the rich nutrition available, which is advantageous for both intellectual and physical growth.
This developmental environment aligns with the natural growth law of “planting in spring and harvesting in autumn,” believed to positively influence children’s intellectual development.
Intelligence can be enhanced through daily life
In reality, IQ is influenced by various factors such as sleep, exercise, environment, and genetics.
Scientific research has shown that the brain exhibits neuroplasticity, which means IQ can be improved through nurturing and stimulation.
Professor Richard Weissbourd, a child behavior expert at Harvard University, points out three critical stages of brain development in children before the age of 10: a language development boom from ages 0 to 3, the formation of logical thinking from ages 4 to 6, and a creative thinking breakthrough from ages 7 to 10.
Parents should seize these opportunities to enhance their children’s intelligence through targeted activities and a stimulating environment.
Ensure adequate sleep
Research has shown that lack of sleep can negatively impact attention, memory, and learning abilities. In contrast, sufficient sleep significantly improves cognitive function. During deep sleep, the brain releases growth hormones that promote brain development.
Improving intelligence can be as simple as ensuring your child gets enough sleep each night.
Develop a habit of regular exercise
Scans of adolescents’ brains aged 8-11 by researchers at the University of Granada in Spain revealed that those who engaged in rhythmic physical activities had more gray matter in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and other brain regions. This translates to stronger imitation, cognitive, and memory abilities.
Enhance your child’s intelligence by encouraging them to develop an active lifestyle and making physical activity a habit.
Enhance your child’s intelligence by encouraging them to develop an active lifestyle and making physical activity a habit.
Provide a nutritionally balanced diet
Research from King’s College London suggests that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals can significantly improve cognitive function.
For example, a high-quality protein and complex carbohydrate breakfast can enhance learning efficiency.
Therefore, pay attention to nutritional balance in your child’s diet to support their intellectual development.
Encourage learning new things
Piaget’s cognitive development theory suggests that children can gradually adapt to their environment through continuous exploration and interaction with the outside world, thereby promoting cognitive development.
Expose your child to knowledge in various fields, such as reading a diverse range of books, participating in scientific experiments, learning musical instruments, or engaging in creative crafts. These activities stimulate brain activity, enhance neural connections and communication, and improve cognitive abilities and intelligence.
Provide a nutritionally balanced diet to support your child’s intellectual development.
Train logical and reasoning thinking
Logical thinking ability is an essential aspect of a child’s intellectual development.
Numerous studies indicate that through the training of logical thinking, a child’s understanding, attention, memory, and reasoning abilities can be significantly improved.
Incorporate activities that foster logical thinking into your child’s daily life to promote their intellectual growth.
The Secret to a High IQ: Unlocking the Mystery of a Child’s Sleep
Creating a comfortable environment for your little one is paramount to ensuring they get a good night’s sleep. This peaceful setting is crucial to their development, particularly for healthy brain growth.
The Three Key Differences Between a Child Who Sleeps Well and One Who Doesn’t
The quality of a child’s sleep can significantly impact their development, and this is evident in three key ways.
The Smartest Months: Career Success and Prosperity for Those Born in These 3 Months
With extensive scientific research and practical observation, it has been noted that children born in certain months tend to exhibit higher intelligence, confidence, and an innate ability to achieve success in their lives.
3 Golden Signs Your Child is a Genius: How to Spot a High IQ Early On
If you’re curious about whether your child is a budding little genius, read on to uncover three tell-tale signs.
“Unleashing Your Child’s Academic Potential: Why Age 7 Is the Magic Number”
“A child’s learning abilities are honed through a process of focused and curious exploration. This training stimulates and nurtures their innate curiosity, encouraging a lifelong love of learning.”
