New Research Shows that the Oldest Child is the Smartest

If you are like most parents, you begin comparing your children very early. Parents tend to compare major learning events among their children. They comment on when the children began to crawl, walk, talk, etc. This a natural and common practice among parents. All parents do it. They then begin to worry about who is behind and who is not developing as quickly.

While many factors determine at what rate a child develops particular skills, research has discovered that order of birth may also play a part.

A new research study has found that the first born child usually has a higher IQ than its younger brothers or sisters.

The study also found that the difference in IQ is likely not genetic. The first born child does not have to share the amount of attention that younger siblings are required to share. Parents tend to focus more on the first born child. When other babies are born into the family, the parent's attention id divided among the children.

It is also a possibility that the IQ difference could be related to the amount of finances spent on the children. The first born child usually has a great portion of money spent on it. As the family grows, the amount of money spent on each child is reduced. The first born child usually receives more one on one attention and educational toys.

One other thought that may factor into the oldest child having the highest IQ is teaching. The oldest child is prone to teaching the younger children. It has been shown that one learns more form the teaching end that the receiving end. Therefore the teacher (the oldest child) would be raising his or her IQ more than the learner (the younger siblings).

The first born also usually has more expectations placed on him or her. Parents tend to be stricter, more careful, and more cautious when it comes to their first born child. As more children enter the family, parents tend to be more relaxed with rules. Parents tend to worry less about the skills that the children are mastering.

Although the study found that the IQ difference among the oldest sibling and younger siblings was only 2.3 points, the difference was there. Many will argue over which factors contribute to the IQ difference.

However, it is now researched based for the oldest, first born child to claim his or her stake in being the smartest!