That's right, according to science, the eldest child is smarter, and we have the proof.
New findings suggest that firstborn children tend to be more intelligent than their younger sisters and brothers thanks to a study recently published in the Journal of Human Resources.
It makes sense in many ways as older children tend to be placed in leadership roles being the eldest and having to deal with the pressure of tending to younger siblings which is a huge responsibility from a young age.
The joint effort between the University of Edinburgh and the University of Sydney conducted the study based on data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth Children and Young Adults on almost 5,000 children.
Authors of the study followed the children from the womb until they turned 14 years of age, assessing them educationally every two years. Various cognitive tests included reading recognition, reading single words aloud, matching letters and picture vocabulary assessments, just to name a few.
Findings during the analysis showed parents changed their behaviours the more children they had, meaning their parenting styles differed from child to child. The biggest advantage to the firstborn was from after birth until their third birthday - most probably when the parents were brave enough to try for another!
The research, originally conducted in 2015, showed younger siblings to be more chilled, while older siblings identified as not only being more responsible but more self-confident, successful and organised. Thanks to their birth order they enjoyed better wages and education in later life.
The study also states that parents changed their behaviours the more children they had. It found parents "offered less mental stimulation to younger siblings also took part in fewer activities such as reading with the child, crafts and playing musical instruments."
So there you have it and if my little and only brother happens to read this, in your face sucker!
