Study first-born are usually smarter than the younger siblings

Physicians are looking for reasons for increased intelligence among first-borns
What does it really matter how intelligent our children are? An important point seems to be whether the child is the firstborn or has older siblings. Researchers now found that first-born children are smarter than their younger siblings.

The researchers from the Analysis Group and the University of Sydney found in their study that first-borns have a higher IQ score than their younger siblings. This effect is already measurable at the age of one year. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "Journal of Human Resources".

Some kids just learn faster and more effectively than others. Especially with siblings such differences are usually obvious. Physicians found that first-born children are smarter than their younger siblings. The experts therefore tried to find out what are the reasons for the observed effect. (Image: S.Kobold / fotolia.com)

First-born children receive more stimulation and support from their parents?
The current discovery may be explained by the fact that first-born infants receive more mental stimulation and support in developing thinking skills from their parents during their early years, the researchers explain.

Older siblings usually earn more money and are more educated
The findings could help to explain why many first-born children have a better education later in life and usually receive higher wages at work than their younger siblings, the physicians speculate.

Study also takes into account the family background and economic conditions
For the study, the researchers examined the data of children from the US, which were previously collected by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics in the so-called National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. In total, almost 5,000 children were medically monitored from birth to the age of 14 years. In particular, the family background and the economic conditions of the family were observed, explain the experts. Then every two years the skills (eg reading and vocabulary) were evaluated.

Doctors are studying the effects of smoking and alcohol
The researchers then used statistical methods on the data collected to analyze how certain parent behavior (eg smoking and alcohol consumption) during pregnancy is related to the child's IQ test results.

Parents provide for younger siblings for less mental stimulation
The experts found that many mothers were more likely to take more risks from the younger children during pregnancy. In addition, the parents made for younger siblings for less mental stimulation. These included, for example, activities such as reading, crafting and playing and learning musical instruments. Younger siblings were less likely to be involved in such activities, the physicians add.

Displacement of parental behavior seems to be the cause of the differences
Our results suggest that a broad shift in parental behavior is a plausible explanation for the observed differences in education. Even better-paid jobs of the next generation seem to be related to this shift, explains author Dr. Ana Nuevo-Chiquero from the University of Edinburgh School of Economics. (As)