The child’s IQ is always a top concern for parents. With the desire for their children to be intelligent, agile, and successful, parents continuously seek to understand the factors that influence a child’s intellect. Aside from genetics, nutrition, and environment, are there any other factors that impact a child’s IQ?
To help parents find answers, researchers from Harvard University conducted a seven-year study. They monitored and recorded the development of over 10,000 children to uncover the relationship between birth month and intelligence. Surprisingly, the findings revealed a significant connection between birth month and IQ. Specifically, children born in September and October tend to have higher IQ scores.
The researchers also observed that children born in autumn and winter tended to be, on average, 0.21 kg heavier and 0.2 cm taller than those born in summer. Interestingly, this group of children also exhibited higher intelligence levels, scoring between one and six points higher.
Why Do Children Born in September and October Have Higher IQs?
Critical Period During Pregnancy
For children born in September or October, the early stages of pregnancy typically occur in December or January, coinciding with the warm spring season. Spring weather is neither too cold nor too hot, thus minimizing potential negative impacts on the mother’s health. Additionally, spring offers a sense of comfort and relaxation, reducing fatigue for expectant mothers. Experts affirm that these factors are closely linked to the child’s brain development.
Favorable Conditions for Motor Development
Children born in September and October usually start crawling in the summer. With lighter clothing, they experience greater ease and freedom of movement. Scientific research suggests that active physical activity in children can positively influence brain development and enhance the brain’s control over the neurological movements of the hands, feet, and eyes, thereby promoting sensory development. As a result, compared to children born at other times of the year, September and October births present distinct advantages.
Notable Advantages for Children Born in Other Months
According to Dr. Otto, a scholar at the New York Academy of Sciences, a survey of one million newborns revealed that children born from March to May possess advantages in terms of height, weight, and intelligence.
Dr. Otto’s research data indicates that these children tend to exhibit higher levels of dynamism, artistic talent, and propensity for creative endeavors. Additionally, statistics show that 65% of painters, writers, artists, and so on, were born in the spring. Furthermore, children born in April typically attain the highest physical and mental capabilities.
Additionally, reports from Berlin Schalt Hospital over the years have confirmed that children born from March to May are better equipped to combat certain allergies compared to those born in other months.
In reality, while genetics and birth month do influence a child’s intellectual development, the post-natal nurturing and educational environment play the most critical role, accounting for approximately 70% of a child’s intelligence. Therefore, parents should prioritize investing time in their children’s education, play, and overall well-being to ensure their holistic development.