BookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxFilledCheckBoxCircleBumpCheckedFilledMedical

Teach Your Kindergartener to Avoid This Habit to Help Them Get Rich Later in Life

It’s never too early to start thinking about the future.
save article
profile picture of Stephanie Grassullo
By Stephanie Grassullo, Contributing Writer
Published August 7, 2019
mom reads to her kindergarten son
Image: iStock

Every parent wants what’s best for their kid and to put them on a path to success. Although your kiddo’s ability to provide financial security for themselves once their on their own may be the furthest thing from your mind right now (and who could blame you!), working towards a prosperous future starts at an early age.

How your kid interacts with other children may give a glimpse into their future financial earnings, according to a study published in the Journal of American Medical Association Psychiatry. The 30-year study found inattentive children are more likely to earn lower salaries in their early to mid-30s. There were a few recurring behavioral patterns associated with kids who were inattentive, including kids who disobeyed or blamed others, were constantly fidgety, had anxiety or showed physical aggression.

The researchers looked at teacher questionnaires of nearly 2,900 kindergartners in Quebec from 1980 and 1981, and then cross-referenced the behavioral ratings for each child with their government tax returns from 2013 to 2015. After making adjustments for IQ and family adversity, the results showed 5- and 6-year-olds who were inattentive in kindergarten had lower annual earnings between the ages of 33 and 35. Specifically, children who had high scores of inattention were associated with a decrease in annual earnings equal to about $1,300 for males and $920 for females.

Of course there are limitations to the study, not to mention other factors like parenting styles that could play a part, but the study’s authors hope it shows how your kid’s childhood behaviors could impact their adult life.

Another way you can help your tiny tot become successful as an adult? Let them watch Sesame Street (based on the AAP’s screen time guidelines). According to a previous study, the series helps improve school performance for children, particularly boys, who tune in before turning 7 years old. That’s not all. It also suggests long-term effects where kids are more likely to be employed and earn a somewhat higher wage in the workforce.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

save article
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

toddler girl choosing clothes from closet
This Viral Bedtime Routine Helps Prevent Morning Wardrobe Meltdowns
By Wyndi Kappes
mother and toddler daughter sitting on the couch reading a book together at home
How to Tell if Your Toddler Is Smart
Medically Reviewed by Lauren Crosby, MD
father talking to toddler daughter while playing at home
Early Childhood Parenting Style Could Influence ADHD Severity in Kids
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
toddler painting on bathroom door
Toddler Discipline: Why Toddlers Act Out—and What You Can Do About It
Medically Reviewed by Dina DiMaggio Walters, MD
7 Weird Toddler Behaviors That Are Actually Normal
7 Weird Toddler Behaviors That Are Actually Normal
By Jenna McCarthy
baby sucking thumb while sitting in stroller outside
Why Babies Suck Their Thumbs—and When to Curb the Habit
Medically Reviewed by Dina DiMaggio Walters, MD
toddler girl knocking behind glass back door
How to Deal With Your Child’s Separation Anxiety
By Rachel Morris
ADVERTISEMENT
father holding baby's hands while walking
These Are the 13 Best States for Babies to Get a Strong Start
By Wyndi Kappes
toddler sitting on couch and having a temper tantrum
Toddler Tantrums: Why They Happen and How to Cope
Medically Reviewed by Dina DiMaggio Walters, MD
close up of baby's eyes
Signs of an Overstimulated Baby (and How to Calm Their System)
Medically Reviewed by Lauren Crosby, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
toddlers playing side by side
The Different Stages of Play and How They Help Kids Learn
Medically Reviewed by Dina DiMaggio Walters, MD
millennial mother talking to toddler at home
73 Percent of Millennial Moms Share This Parenting Style
By Wyndi Kappes
baby playing alone with toys on the floor
Why Is Solitary Play Important for Babies and Toddlers?
By Lisa Milbrand
ADVERTISEMENT
toddler touching head in pain
Is Head Banging in Babies and Toddlers Normal?
By Cindy Hovington, PhD
baby lying on pink blanket with tongue out
Pediatrician Goes Viral After Sharing These "Secret" Baby Milestones
By Wyndi Kappes
toddler hugging smiling mom
10 Ways Toddlers Say ‘I Love You’—Without Actually Saying ‘I Love You’
By Lauren Barth
baby with two smiling moms reaching for pet dog
5 Research-Backed Ways Dogs Can Benefit Baby
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
entrance of chuck e cheese's
Chuck E. Cheese Snubs Black Child in Latest Incident of Mascot Racism
By Wyndi Kappes
three proud and confident children smiling outside
How to Raise a Confident Kid
By Nehal Aggarwal
Praise From Parents May Improve a Child’s Persistence, Study Says
Praise From Parents May Improve a Child’s Persistence, Study Says
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.