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The great summer baby birth divide The great summer baby birth divide
(40 minutes later)
By Caroline McClatchey BBC News Magazine
With evidence continuing to mount that children born at the beginning of the school year do much better than their younger peers, what can teachers and parents do?With evidence continuing to mount that children born at the beginning of the school year do much better than their younger peers, what can teachers and parents do?
Most people know the rhyme about Monday's child being fair of face and Tuesday's child being full of grace.Most people know the rhyme about Monday's child being fair of face and Tuesday's child being full of grace.
If somebody was to revamp the rhyme for months, it might read: "September's child will be a success while August's child will have all the stress."If somebody was to revamp the rhyme for months, it might read: "September's child will be a success while August's child will have all the stress."
There is a substantial and growing body of evidence to back up the claim that children born in certain months do better at school because they are the oldest in the year.There is a substantial and growing body of evidence to back up the claim that children born in certain months do better at school because they are the oldest in the year.
The best months to be born to ensure your child is physically and emotionally head and shoulders above the rest of the class depends on where you were live in the UK.The best months to be born to ensure your child is physically and emotionally head and shoulders above the rest of the class depends on where you were live in the UK.
A child's age on 1 September determines the point of entry in England and Wales, whereas it is 1 July in Northern Ireland. In Scotland, all those born between March of a given year and February of the following year are placed in the same group.A child's age on 1 September determines the point of entry in England and Wales, whereas it is 1 July in Northern Ireland. In Scotland, all those born between March of a given year and February of the following year are placed in the same group.
The latest research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) focuses on England and looks at the test scores and happiness levels of August-born children compared with their older, September-born peers.The latest research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) focuses on England and looks at the test scores and happiness levels of August-born children compared with their older, September-born peers.
It found children born in August score substantially lower in national achievement tests and other measures of cognitive skills.It found children born in August score substantially lower in national achievement tests and other measures of cognitive skills.
At the age of seven, they are more than three times as likely to be regarded as "below average" by their teachers in reading, writing and maths.At the age of seven, they are more than three times as likely to be regarded as "below average" by their teachers in reading, writing and maths.
The subject has been researched for decades and studied in various countries with a cut-off date for admissions, says research economist Ellen Greaves, who co-authored the report.The subject has been researched for decades and studied in various countries with a cut-off date for admissions, says research economist Ellen Greaves, who co-authored the report.
She says there is a general consensus that the oldest in the year do better than their younger peers, and while the gap shrinks over time, it can persist through to GCSEs and have a long-lasting effect on employment opportunities.She says there is a general consensus that the oldest in the year do better than their younger peers, and while the gap shrinks over time, it can persist through to GCSEs and have a long-lasting effect on employment opportunities.
The IFS research showed August-born children were 20% more likely to study for a vocational qualifications if they stayed on in education, and 20% less likely to be at a leading university compared with a September-born teenager.The IFS research showed August-born children were 20% more likely to study for a vocational qualifications if they stayed on in education, and 20% less likely to be at a leading university compared with a September-born teenager.
This study also considered how month of birth mattered for a child's well-being.This study also considered how month of birth mattered for a child's well-being.
"It is clear that the consequences of the month in which you were born extend beyond educational attainment. We find evidence that, particularly at younger ages, summer-born children are more likely to report being unhappy at school and to have experienced bullying than autumn-born children," says Greaves."It is clear that the consequences of the month in which you were born extend beyond educational attainment. We find evidence that, particularly at younger ages, summer-born children are more likely to report being unhappy at school and to have experienced bullying than autumn-born children," says Greaves.
Everyone remembers the pupils in school who were the biggest or the brightest, and many people will say that it is simply common sense that the oldest children in the year will be more mature and advanced.Everyone remembers the pupils in school who were the biggest or the brightest, and many people will say that it is simply common sense that the oldest children in the year will be more mature and advanced.
But it's the impact on the younger children that concerns parents and psychologists.But it's the impact on the younger children that concerns parents and psychologists.
Vivian Hill, an educational psychologist at the Institute of Education, says a "disproportionate number of children born in the summer months" are brought to her because they seem to be under-achieving.Vivian Hill, an educational psychologist at the Institute of Education, says a "disproportionate number of children born in the summer months" are brought to her because they seem to be under-achieving.
"Younger children are lighter and smaller, that's what you would expect, but you wouldn't refer them to the health authorities.""Younger children are lighter and smaller, that's what you would expect, but you wouldn't refer them to the health authorities."
She says these young children have no inherent intellectual deficit and when she conducts age-appropriate tests, most of them are where they should be.She says these young children have no inherent intellectual deficit and when she conducts age-appropriate tests, most of them are where they should be.
"While some do have needs that need to be addressed, for a lot of them it's simply that they look like they are doing worse than the rest of the class. Developmentally they are eight, nine, 10 months younger and at that age, that's a big difference.""While some do have needs that need to be addressed, for a lot of them it's simply that they look like they are doing worse than the rest of the class. Developmentally they are eight, nine, 10 months younger and at that age, that's a big difference."
She says summer-born children can be typecast as low-achievers by their teachers and they can start to view themselves as such.She says summer-born children can be typecast as low-achievers by their teachers and they can start to view themselves as such.
"It can become a self-fulfilling prophecy," she adds."It can become a self-fulfilling prophecy," she adds.
Education expert Chris Waterman says it is a fact of life that the youngest in any group will be the most vulnerable.Education expert Chris Waterman says it is a fact of life that the youngest in any group will be the most vulnerable.
"If you are the runt of the litter, then you will be picked on and bullied a bit. You are not form captain and you don't get in the first year football team."If you are the runt of the litter, then you will be picked on and bullied a bit. You are not form captain and you don't get in the first year football team.
"I don't disagree with what the research is saying but there are many other differences that affect children's development than the month of their birth such as poverty and education of their parents.""I don't disagree with what the research is saying but there are many other differences that affect children's development than the month of their birth such as poverty and education of their parents."
Sir Chris Woodhead, a former chief inspector of schools in England, says the report's findings represented a broad pattern but it was "dangerous to assume that this applies to every child".Sir Chris Woodhead, a former chief inspector of schools in England, says the report's findings represented a broad pattern but it was "dangerous to assume that this applies to every child".
He did however have issues with the well-being element.He did however have issues with the well-being element.
"Our current pre-occupation with happiness and well-being is stupid and is likely to lead to further under-achievement because real learning involves challenge, difficulty and unhappiness.""Our current pre-occupation with happiness and well-being is stupid and is likely to lead to further under-achievement because real learning involves challenge, difficulty and unhappiness."
Unhappiness is part and parcel of the learning experience, he says.Unhappiness is part and parcel of the learning experience, he says.
"I don't want kids to be desperately miserable but we don't want them to be complacent and self-satisfied all the time. If kids are always completely confident and comfortable, they aren't going to make much progress.""I don't want kids to be desperately miserable but we don't want them to be complacent and self-satisfied all the time. If kids are always completely confident and comfortable, they aren't going to make much progress."
He doesn't think the month bias is a subject for government intervention and says it is a matter for individual teachers to recognise the needs of individual children and plan their education accordingly.He doesn't think the month bias is a subject for government intervention and says it is a matter for individual teachers to recognise the needs of individual children and plan their education accordingly.
Early years specialist Dr David Whitebread, from the University of Cambridge, says the evidence in favour of the bias is "overwhelming" and one possible solution lies with the age at which children start school in the UK.Early years specialist Dr David Whitebread, from the University of Cambridge, says the evidence in favour of the bias is "overwhelming" and one possible solution lies with the age at which children start school in the UK.
Dr Whitebread says research has shown that the later children start formal education, the less marked the month affect is.Dr Whitebread says research has shown that the later children start formal education, the less marked the month affect is.
"In countries where they start a year older than the UK, the month effect is less marked and in countries where they start as late as seven, it completely washes out.""In countries where they start a year older than the UK, the month effect is less marked and in countries where they start as late as seven, it completely washes out."
None of the experts disagreed with the reports findings and several other solutions were put forward, including differentiating the curriculum, taking age into account for exams, and having more flexibility to keep the youngest children back a year.None of the experts disagreed with the reports findings and several other solutions were put forward, including differentiating the curriculum, taking age into account for exams, and having more flexibility to keep the youngest children back a year.
Waterman says most school systems are organised around age groupings and other than birth control and everyone giving birth in September, it was up to the teachers. Waterman says most school systems are organised around age groupings and other than everyone giving birth in September, it was up to the teachers.
"Teachers should be sympathetic to the fact that these kids are young and need time to grow up.""Teachers should be sympathetic to the fact that these kids are young and need time to grow up."
Were you a summer baby or an autumn baby? Send us your comments using the form below. A selection will be published.Were you a summer baby or an autumn baby? Send us your comments using the form below. A selection will be published.