For parents who want to see into their toddler’s future, a simple raisin test can be done.
A team at the University of Warwick found that placing a raisin under a cup and warning a toddler not to eat it until instructed can predict how clever they will be at the age of eight, according to the U.K publication The Telegraph.
“The raisin game is an easy and effective tool that is good at assessing inhibitory control in young children, takes only 5 minutes, and can be used in clinical practice to identify children at risk of attention and learning problems,” stated Professor Dieter Wolke, who is based at the Department of Psychology and at Warwick Medical School.
The study used data from a German longitudinal study, which comprised of 558 children born between the 25th to the 41st week of gestation, according to Tech Times. The results of the analysis for preterm babies or those born at 25-38 weeks were reportedly compared with that of full term newborns.
“Better inhibitory control at age 20 months predicted better attention regulation and academic achievement at age 8 years. The results also point to potential innovative avenues to early intervention after preterm birth,” stated Wolke.
Researchers reportedly found that preterm children had a greater tendency of taking the raisin before waiting 60 seconds, as they were instructed to. Follow up studies were reportedly performed when the study subjects turned eight.
The follow ups reportedly showed that children who waited as instructed were far more successful in the future.
Knowing that a child has trouble following instructions can be an early sign for parents.
“If a child cannot usually control an immediate response, it would indicate to parents that they may do something, such as making clear they cannot interrupt but have to wait short periods,” explained Wolke.