Do Kids Inherit Their Mom's Intelligence?

Do children really inherit their mother’s intelligence?Read on to find out where your child has inherited her intelligence from.Wondering where your child has gained her intelligence from? Intelligence, according to psychologists, has no concrete definition but the few definitions we can countupon emphasise only on certain skills such as verbal fluency and manipulation if abstract symbols. Studies on this field have discovered that most of your child’s intelligence quotient levels have been inherited from her mother. In the earlier days, it was believed that a child’s intelligence was totally dependent on her father, but now with the emergence of new concepts and ideas, it is common knowledge that mothers are the primary sources of intelligence of their children. So what could be some of the reasons behind this phenomenon and how much are they to be believed? In this articleGenetic Factors of the MotherThe Role of MitochondriaCare During PregnancyEmotional Bonding Between Mother and ChildIs There Any Such Thing as Hereditary Intelligence?1. Genetic Factors of the MotherWomen have two XX chromosomes in their body, which are responsible for our intelligence levels. On the other hand, men have only one X chromosome, which makes it clear that primary development of a child’s intelligence is dependent upon the mother. There is a special type of gene in our body, called the “conditioned genes” whose actions depend upon either the mother or the father. Intelligence genes from the mother go directly into the cerebral cortex which boosts the IQ levels of a child, while the paternal genes contribute to the limbic activity such as hunger, aggression and moods.2. The Role of MitochondriaGenetic imprinting can also play an important role in deciding your child’s intelligence levels, due to a genetic preference of either the mother or the father. Similarly, mitochondria are inherited solely from the mothers egg which releases a chemical called the ATP. The ATP helps in increasing the function of the brain, though mitochondrial genes are not really related to intelligence levels in any way.Mitochondria are responsible for better brain function, which can be a cause for high intelligence.3. Care During PregnancyPregnancy is time when the mother is in closest contact with her child since all her actions will now directly affect the physical and mental development of her child. For this very reason, it is important to follow a healthy and wholesome diet, relieve yourself of any stress or anxiety and focus on building a close relationship with your child. Important nutrients for your child’s healthy brain development should include iron, folic acid, omega 3 and iodine along with soft music and light exercise. It is also important for the pregnant mother to quit smoking and alcohol and manage diabetes and stress, if any.4. Emotional Bonding Between Mother and ChildEven before the birth of the child, the mother is generally responsible for the intelligence quotient of her child. Researchers have found out that, children with more emotionally supportive and helpful mothers tend to gain intelligence in the coming years as the hippocampus of such children was greater than those children who were emotionally distant from their mothers. To make things simpler, the hippocampus is a particular area of the brain which is responsible for learning, stress response and memory.5. Is There Any Such Thing as Hereditary Intelligence?Researchers say that about 40-60% of our intelligence quotient comes from our parents and the rest develops from our society and environment. Though intelligence to common people is nothing more than being able to solve problem, even to solve a mathematical problem requires limbic activity. Thus, even though intelligence is influenced by our rational thinking,it is also dependent on the intuitive and emotional genes inherited from the father.Therefore,it must also be kept in mind that fathers are equally important for the development of intelligence in his child. The child must also be exposed to various challenges in the environment which will constantly improve her intelligence quotient. Fathers should not, thus, be discouraged by these findings because his contribution is equally important to the all-round development of the child; rather he should create the loving and supportive environment that the child needs so as to make a good human being along with an intelligent one.What determines the intelligence quotient of children? From where do children inherit the intelligence? Is it possible to boost intelligence of children?Discuss here.

Do children really inherit their mother’s intelligence?Read on to find out where your child has inherited her intelligence from.

Wondering where your child has gained her intelligence from? Intelligence, according to psychologists, has no concrete definition but the few definitions we can countupon emphasise only on certain skills such as verbal fluency and manipulation if abstract symbols. Studies on this field have discovered that most of your child’s intelligence quotient levels have been inherited from her mother. In the earlier days, it was believed that a child’s intelligence was totally dependent on her father, but now with the emergence of new concepts and ideas, it is common knowledge that mothers are the primary sources of intelligence of their children. So what could be some of the reasons behind this phenomenon and how much are they to be believed?

1. Genetic Factors of the Mother

Women have two XX chromosomes in their body, which are responsible for our intelligence levels. On the other hand, men have only one X chromosome, which makes it clear that primary development of a child’s intelligence is dependent upon the mother. There is a special type of gene in our body, called the “conditioned genes” whose actions depend upon either the mother or the father. Intelligence genes from the mother go directly into the cerebral cortex which boosts the IQ levels of a child, while the paternal genes contribute to the limbic activity such as hunger, aggression and moods.

2. The Role of Mitochondria

Genetic imprinting can also play an important role in deciding your child’s intelligence levels, due to a genetic preference of either the mother or the father. Similarly, mitochondria are inherited solely from the mother's egg which releases a chemical called the ATP. The ATP helps in increasing the function of the brain, though mitochondrial genes are not really related to intelligence levels in any way.Mitochondria are responsible for better brain function, which can be a cause for high intelligence.

3. Care During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is time when the mother is in closest contact with her child since all her actions will now directly affect the physical and mental development of her child. For this very reason, it is important to follow a healthy and wholesome diet, relieve yourself of any stress or anxiety and focus on building a close relationship with your child. Important nutrients for your child’s healthy brain development should include iron, folic acid, omega 3 and iodine along with soft music and light exercise. It is also important for the pregnant mother to quit smoking and alcohol and manage diabetes and stress, if any.

4. Emotional Bonding Between Mother and Child

Even before the birth of the child, the mother is generally responsible for the intelligence quotient of her child. Researchers have found out that, children with more emotionally supportive and helpful mothers tend to gain intelligence in the coming years as the hippocampus of such children was greater than those children who were emotionally distant from their mothers. To make things simpler, the hippocampus is a particular area of the brain which is responsible for learning, stress response and memory.

5. Is There Any Such Thing as Hereditary Intelligence?

Researchers say that about 40-60% of our intelligence quotient comes from our parents and the rest develops from our society and environment. Though intelligence to common people is nothing more than being able to solve problem, even to solve a mathematical problem requires limbic activity. Thus, even though intelligence is influenced by our rational thinking,it is also dependent on the intuitive and emotional genes inherited from the father.

Therefore,it must also be kept in mind that fathers are equally important for the development of intelligence in his child. The child must also be exposed to various challenges in the environment which will constantly improve her intelligence quotient. Fathers should not, thus, be discouraged by these findings because his contribution is equally important to the all-round development of the child; rather he should create the loving and supportive environment that the child needs so as to make a good human being along with an intelligent one.

What determines the intelligence quotient of children? From where do children inherit the intelligence? Is it possible to boost intelligence of children?Discuss here.