Does anyone know of research comparing outcomes of summer/autumn born children?

[WilfSell]

Just wondering, since I have both a September and an August child, neither of which are at school yet and wondering whether there is any sound academic research demonstrating some of the anecdotal differences mentioned on the other thread about this...?

Always find these threads fascinating, as DS1 and DS3 are both August-born and DS2 is October...guess which one struggles the most, academically? (but is fantastic with a football??)

Also, DS3, youngest of the boys in his class by four months, would have been a blardy nightmare had he been a September birth (possible - he wasn't due until the 26th).

I read once that most professional footballers have autumn birthdays. I noticed that recently with my sons yr group. They were mostly physically bigger so dominated the game. The smaller ones did't get a chance with the ball so couldn't develop their skills. But the pointlessness of 4 and 5 years olds playing actual matcehs is a whole other debate!

As an ex teacher I think they generally don't do as well but there are so many exceptions that its not worth fretting about. My 3 August born school friends are both frighteningly high achievers.

I did some research into month of birth and exclusion data as part of my doctorate. Small sample but seemed to say that summer born children did slightly have more chance of exclusion than winter borns, HOWEVER it wasn;t at all clear cut. The interesting bit was that when I applied star signs to the data organisation then I had 2 clear points where there was definitely more chance of exclusion..Can you guess the star sign???

A doctorate that involved star signs? Really? Or you just did that bit for fun after you'd finished the research?

Scorpio!?

rebel, I know there are lots of contrary anecdotal stories but that was why i wanted the proper data. Still looking it up.

Yes I realise you want proper stuff.

Just fascinates (and blardy frustrates me in relation to DS2 - the October child).

No the star signs was a bit of fun really... the two star signs were Gemini (Twins, split personality??) and Libra (scales)

No the star signs was a bit of fun really... the two star signs were Gemini (Twins, split personality??) and Libra (scales)

Oh God! I'm classic gemini (but managed to scrape through school without getting excluded) and both my DCs are August-borns (leos, so both determined to be leader of the pack/pride. Have mediated numerous bun-fights). But, with regard to birthdate vs achievement, there are so many other variables that it must be hard to generalise. When I taught Year 2s a few years back , the entire top 2 groups (when ability-based) were Autumn-borns but, when I re-taught the same cohort at Year 6, many of the summer-borns had overtaken them. If they're bright, they'll do well whenever they're born. DS was (and still is ) the youngest in his yeargroup, and all his mates from my antenatal group were just over the September threshold and so are in the academic year below. I used to feel this disadvantaged him but when I look at what he's doing at school, and understanding/achieving, there's no way he would be receiving those lessons in the year below, 'Gifted & Talented' provision or not.

Is there a comparison between summer borns/winter borns that also collates family support.

All 3 of mine are August/Late July and well ahead, but get a lot of support at home and have fostered an interest in learning. DH is also August (yes August is an expensive month!)and did very well at school.

I wonder how much of an impact birthdate alone contributes.