Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. News

Children who love dinosaurs are smarter than those who don’t

A love for a complex concept could be an indicator of higher intelligence. - by Laura Barry
  • 06 Nov 2019

Many children develop interests in particular things throughout their childhood, but those who are truly interested in learning more about specific things – such as learning all about types of dinosaurs and how they lived – can be more intelligent later in life. In psychological terms, this obsession with learning about dinosaurs or astronomy (for example) would be called an ‘intense interest’.

WATCH: How to keep your kids safe online

According to a study conducted on children aged 4 and 6 by both the University of Indiana and the University of Wisconsin, children who develop these intense interests are more likely to do better later in life. In fact, a child with an intense, long-term interest in something, such as dinosaurs, can improve perseverance, attention and complex thinking skills. It can even improve linguistic skills and be a sign of high levels of understanding.

girl looking at model dinosaur skeleton
Getty

The catch is that the intense interest must be a ‘conceptual domain’. That is, the interest must be in the topic itself (a desire to learn more about individual dinosaurs and the way they lived) rather than situational (being interested in a large dinosaur roaring at a museum for a brief time).

“Results indicated a significant portion of preschool children do sustain an interest in conceptual domains during some portion of their childhood. Expected gender differences were found, with boys more likely to express an interest in a conceptual domain than girls,” wrote lead researcher, Joyce Alexander.

So, if your child is obsessed with learning all there is to know about an animals, dinosaurs, space or other complex subjects – then you may just have a genius on your hands.

  • News
  • Better Life
Laura Barry
Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes, travel and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

How to tell the difference between a cold and the flu

How to tell the difference between a cold and the flu

This is the cheapest place to buy your back to school supplies

This is the cheapest place to buy your back to school supplies

The best diets of 2020 have been named

The best diets of 2020 have been named

Living by the water makes you healthier, happier and calmer

Living by the water makes you healthier, happier and calmer

{headline}

{headline}

Research reveals 30-year-olds get the worst hangovers

Research reveals 30-year-olds get the worst hangovers

Urgent food recall: Coles, Woolworths, IGA Sriracha Chilli sauce

Urgent food recall: Coles, Woolworths, IGA Sriracha Chilli sauce

New Australian alcohol guidelines released before New Years Eve

New Australian alcohol guidelines released before New Years Eve

{headline}

{headline}

The 4 most common Christmas injuries

The 4 most common Christmas injuries

Women sleep better with their dog beside them

Women sleep better with their dog beside them

Poisoning by essential oils is on the rise

Poisoning by essential oils is on the rise

Dangerous superbugs found in makeup and popular makeup sponge

Dangerous superbugs found in makeup and popular makeup sponge

Study reveals people with glasses are usually more intelligent

Study reveals people with glasses are usually more intelligent

 Choc chip cookies not only delicious, but addictive, says study

Choc chip cookies not only delicious, but addictive, says study

Health tips for coping with smoke haze

Health tips for coping with smoke haze

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription