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Study suggests first born kids are smarter than their younger siblings
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Study suggests first born kids are smarter than their younger siblings

If you are the oldest child, it's definitely something to brag about (regardless of whether it is true or not).
26 April 2023 9:29AM

A recent study has revealed a piece of info for your next dinner table debate, and this is one that's bound to ruffle a few feathers.

The study of over 20,000 people showed that, on average, firstborn children achieved IQ scores 1.5 points higher than second-born children, who scored 1.5 points higher than third-born children etc etc etc. 

As the first born in my family, I'd love to hold this over the head of my younger siblings, but is it really true?

I'm certainly no scientist, but the ones who have researched the topic suggest parents may pay more attention to developing their firstborn child's thinking skills compared to any siblings born after them, but of course, this isn't necessarily true for everyone.

You may be thinking that first born children tend to have certain personality traits lending themselves to 'book smarts' and therefore a higher IQ, but the study actually concluded no noticeable personality traits differed between siblings, disproving any theories that birth order affects personality.

So if you are a parent, sibling or even a nosy auntie, think about whether this is true in your family and, if you are the oldest child, it's definitely something to brag about (regardless of whether it is true or not).