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The Harvard Study Reveals: Children Born in These Two Months Are Brilliant.

13 June, 2025

Month of Birth and Intelligence: Is There a Real Connection?

Harvard University, one of the world’s leading educational institutions, has released findings from a long-term study investigating the impact of birth month on children’s cognitive development. This comprehensive research, spanning over a decade, tracked and analyzed data from 21,000 children across the United States, Canada, Australia, and several European countries.

The results indicate that children born in September and October tend to have average IQ scores that are 3-5 points higher than their peers from other months. Additionally, this group of children also exhibited superior skills in memory, critical thinking, focus, and problem-solving abilities.

The “Golden” Advantage of Enrollment Timing

Researchers attribute this phenomenon primarily to the timing of school enrollment. In many countries, children start school based on their year of birth, typically in September. Consequently, those born in September and October are usually the oldest in their class.

This slight age difference of a few months can confer certain advantages in brain development and knowledge acquisition. In the early years, even a six-month age gap can lead to significant cognitive differences.

This reality is known as the “Relative Age Effect,” a phenomenon long recognized by educators and psychologists. Its influence extends beyond academics, also impacting sports and social skill development.

Children born in September and October tend to have superior focus and absorption capabilities, according to the Harvard study.

Not Destiny – The Role of Education and Environment

However, the research team emphasizes that birth month is merely a contributing factor and not an absolute determinant. Factors such as genetics, upbringing, nutrition, and educational methods form the crucial foundation for a child’s intelligence and character development.

Dr. Martha Jennings, a Harvard educational psychologist, states, “While birth month can provide an initial advantage, it is the ongoing support and encouragement from parents that enable children to maximize their intellectual potential.”

What Should Parents Make of These Research Findings?

If your child wasn’t born in September or October, there’s no cause for concern. What matters most is not the birth month but creating a positive, nurturing, and flexible learning environment for your child’s growth.

Here are some expert suggestions to promote your child’s cognitive development, regardless of their birth month:

Foster a love of reading early on. Children who read from a young age tend to excel in language, imagination, and logical thinking.
Encourage educational play. Puzzles, strategy games, and building blocks help develop patience, strategic thinking, and memory.
Respect individual development rhythms. Every child develops at their own pace. Avoid comparisons with peers and instead, offer support and guidance when needed.
Promote physical activity. Research shows that regular exercise improves brain function and enhances focus and memory.

Older children in the class, typically born in September and October, are believed to have initial advantages in cognition and confidence when starting school.

Notable Statistics from the Study

Students born in September comprised 18% of the top-performing group, higher than the average of 13-15% for other months.
Among the top 100 students with the highest IQs, September and October births accounted for 27% of the total.
Older students in the class were 1.5 times more likely to participate in advanced exams and gain admission to prestigious schools than their younger classmates.

Conclusion

While birth month may confer an initial small advantage, it is not a guarantee of intelligence. A child’s intelligence is a long-term journey nurtured daily through love, guidance, and parental involvement.

Sparking a passion for learning and creating opportunities for children to explore and discover the world is the key to raising intelligent, creative, and happy individuals.