According to a new study from the University of Colorado Boulder, researchers now say it could be possible to predict how well a person will perform on a cognitive test in their 30s as early as seven-months-old.
Yes, you read that right! Seven months.
In one of the most ambitious twin studies to date, researchers followed 500 sets of twins (both fraternal and identical) from infancy all the way into their 30s. By comparing identical twins (who share 100% of their DNA) to fraternal ones (who share about half), they were able to tease apart how much of our smarts come from genetics versus environment.
Lead author Dr. Daniel Gustavson explained that even at 2 to 3-years-old, your surroundings, home life, school, community, can shape cognitive outcomes. “All the aspects of their home, neighborhood, school environments,” he said in an interview with Parents, play a part. But here’s the kicker, by age 3, researchers could predict about 20% of adult IQ, and by age 7, genetics began to dominate the picture.
However, just know that heritability doesn’t mean destiny.
“Don’t worry if your baby isn’t ‘advanced’ in every area or if they miss one milestone, as uneven development is completely typical,” Dr. Heather Gosnell, a pediatrician who weighed in on the findings tells Parents. She also reminded parents that late talkers often catch up and that toddlers naturally have short attention spans. Neither is a sign of future problems.
So what can you do as a parent to nurture your child’s brainpower?
Psychologist Dr. Sara Douglas suggests creating a stimulating, ever-changing environment, textures, music, new faces, and places. “Provide different opportunities for novel experiences,” she told Parents. And never underestimate the power of bonding time. Daily reading, talking, singing, and eye contact go a long way, Gosnell adds.
Ultimately, the takeaway isn’t to obsess over your child’s IQ. It’s to remember that intelligence isn’t fixed, and it’s not the whole story. “There are personality traits—like kindness, empathy, and being a good listener—that are not factored into intelligence testing,” Douglas said. “And in many regards, they’re more important.”
