Research shows life chances can be determined by the age of 3

Kimberley EYC

8 years ago

The value of Early Intervention highlight as research suggest brain tests at the age of three can predict a child’s life chances.

Scientists from London, America and New Zealand have recently conducted tests that show children with low cognitive test scores, at the age of three, are more likely as adults to become dependent on welfare services or to end up in trouble with the law.

The research, which is published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, was conducted with more than 1,000 children from the age of three until they were 38, living in New Zealand. At the age of three, each child in the study had participated in a 45-minute examination of neurological signs including intelligence, language and motor skills.

The children were also rated on factors such as frustration tolerance, restlessness and impulsivity.Using publicly held data on health, welfare and criminal justice, scientists were able to identify how much the children as adults accessed health and social services and the cost to society.

Research showed that at the age of 38, one-fifth of participants accounted for 81% of criminal convictions and 77% of fatherless children. This fifth of the group also made up three-quarters of drug prescriptions, two-thirds of welfare benefits and more than half of nights spent in hospital and cigarettes smoked.

Although the research followed people in New Zealand, the scientists believe that the results could apply to other countries; however they did agree that outcomes are not set and experiences can of course alter a child’s life chances. This highlights the importance of Early intervention and scientists say the findings should act as an ‘invitation to intervene’.