Thinking positive during pregnancy? You could be helping your child's ablity in maths and science

Your attitude during pregnancy
could have an effect on your child’s ability in maths and science, according to
a new study published by Frontiers in Psychology today (Friday 8 February).

Using data
from Bristol’s Children of the 90s study the research is one of a series from
the University of Bristol,
that examines a parental personality attribute known as the ‘locus of control’.
This is a psychological measure of how much someone believes that they have
control over the outcome of events in their life or whether external forces
beyond their control dictates how life turns out.

Those with an
external locus of control would believe there is little point in making an
effort as what happens to them is due to luck and circumstances, in contrast
with internally controlled people who are motivated into action because they
feel they can influence what is going to happen.

Researchers examined the ‘locus
of control’ by using responses from questionnaires completed by over 1600
pregnant women who took part in the Children of the 90s study. They then
looked at the mathematical and scientific reasoning and problem-solving skills
of their offspring at the ages of 8, 11 and 13 assessed in school using
specially designed tests. This study is among the first to link the prenatal
locus of control of parents to the maths and science abilities of their
offspring years later.

Findings reveal that mothers
with an internal locus of control before their child was born (those who
believe in the connection between their actions and what happens to them) were
more likely to have a child who is good at maths and science. Compared to
their externally controlled peers, internally focussed mothers also were more
likely to provide their children with diets that assist brain development, to
more frequently read stories to them and to show an interest in their child’s
homework and academic progress.

Lead author and founder of the
Children of the 90s study Professor Jean Golding OBE said:

“It is widely known that the
locus of control of a child is strongly associated with their academic
achievements but until now we didn’t know if mothers’ locus of control
orientation during pregnancy had a role to play in early childhood.
Thanks to the longitudinal data from Children of the 90s study we can now
make these associations.

“If our findings, that mothers’
attitudes and behaviours can have an effect on their child’s academic
abilities, can be replicated it would suggest that more efforts should be made
to increase the opportunities for mothers to feel that their behaviours will have
a positive outcome for themselves and their children. It would help
future generations raise healthy, confident and independent children.

“The next steps for this area
of psychology will be for researchers to look at this at an international level
to see if the findings are replicated. Other factors that will be important
will be to undertake an intervention study to assess whether encouraging women
to become more internal will improve the academic development of their
children.”

Candler
Professor of Psychology Stephen Nowicki at Emory University, Atlanta, a co-author, and expert on locus of control added:

“Internal parents believe that
they have behavioural choices in life. This and other findings from our
child development work with the University of Bristol with expectant parents
show that when they expect life outcomes to be linked to what they do their
children eat better, sleep better and are better able to control their
emotions. Such children later in childhood are also more likely to have
greater academic achievements, fewer school related personal and social
difficulties and less likelihood of being obese.

“It is possible for a parent to
change their outlook; we’ve demonstrated in the past that parents who become
more internal (i.e. learn to see the connections between what they do and what
happens to their children) improved their parenting skills which would have a
positive effect on their children’s personal, social and academic lives.”