Do Children Born in Certain Months Have Higher Success Rates?

This article has been updated to reflect 2026 data and recent developments.

Many people ascribe to the basics of astrology, reading their horoscopes in the newspaper or taking online tests to see what their sign says about them. But does the time of year in which you are born have any actual influence on your life? Numerous studies suggest that children born at certain times of year are healthier, happier, and more successful than others.

Winter versus Summer Children

Researchers suggest that the month in which your child is born can have an impact on everything from health to success with a future career. The biggest differences were noted between children born in the winter and children born in the summer. There are some studies that say that children born between the months of June and October are more likely to be taller and have bigger bones than children born during the winter. This is likely related to the amount of vitamin D exposure during the pregnancy. On average, children born during the summer were 0.5cm taller than children born in the winter based on results from women who were 37 weeks pregnant.

The National Institutes of Health provides information about vitamin D and its role in bone health. Although researchers have identified associations between birth season and certain health outcomes, these findings do not establish that a child's birth month directly determines their health or development.

Not only does the month in which you are

Part of your job as a parent is to push your kids to do and be their best. Sometimes this means limiting television privileges until your child finishes his homework. Other times it means taking time out of your own day to drive your child to see a tutor. There is no doubt that going the extra mile to ensure your child’s academic success is important, but what about other things? Should you encourage your child to join a sports team?

What Are the Benefits of Participating in Sports?

For children, playing sports is more than just a way to spend time after school – it can have a serious impact on the child’s mental and social development. Below you will find a list of some of the many benefits associated with team sport participation for children:

• According to a study published in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, teenagers who participated in team sports were smoke, do drugs, have sex, and carry weapons than those who did not.
• Being part of a sports team teaches your child how to work with others toward a common goal – it takes the combined effort of the whole team to win a game.
• Participating in sports can give children and young adults a sense of belonging. This is especially important during middle school and high school where cliques can form quickly, leaving children who are less socially gifted on the margins.
• The results of several research studies show that

This article has been updated to reflect 2026 data and recent developments.

A commonly cited statistic suggests that as many as 20% of high school dropouts are gifted students. Does this statistic surprise you? On one side of the coin, you might think that gifted students would be more likely to excel in school than traditional students. On the other side of the coin, it makes sense that gifted students might drop out of school if they are not properly challenged. If you are the parent, guardian, or teacher of a gifted student then it is your duty to make sure they are pushed hard enough to meet their maximum potential.

The 20% figure has been widely repeated over the years, but it should not be treated as a current national statistic. In 2026, the need to identify and appropriately serve gifted students remains an important focus of gifted education. The U.S. Department of Education continues to support research and strategies designed to identify gifted and talented students and meet their educational needs through the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program.

Myths and Misconceptions

The statistic quoted earlier could be interpreted in different ways. Some might assume that gifted students will excel no matter what kind of schooling they receive, while others might be able to see that gifted students are often bored in traditional classrooms, which leads to a higher dropout rate. Before getting into the details regarding how to properly challenge

This article has been updated to reflect 2026 data and recent developments.

Spelling bees continue to be a cornerstone of academic competition in public schools, promoting vocabulary development, language mastery, and confidence in young learners. While the fundamentals of success remain consistent, recent trends show that today’s spelling bee champions are combining traditional study habits with modern tools and linguistic strategies.

Understanding the secrets of spelling bee champs can help students, parents, and educators support stronger literacy outcomes both inside and outside the classroom.

Why Spelling Bees Still Matter in 2026

Spelling bees are more than competitions; they reinforce core literacy skills that are essential for long-term academic success. According to recent data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, vocabulary and reading comprehension remain closely linked, with students demonstrating stronger spelling skills often outperforming peers in reading assessments.

In the post-pandemic learning environment, schools are placing renewed emphasis on foundational literacy. Spelling bees offer a structured and engaging way to strengthen:

• Vocabulary acquisition
• Pattern recognition
• Memory and recall
• Public speaking confidence

Many districts have also reintroduced or expanded spelling bee programs as part of broader literacy recovery initiatives.

Core Study Habits of Spelling Bee Champions

While technology has evolved, the foundational habits of top spellers remain remarkably consistent.

Consistent, Structured Practice

Spelling bee champions dedicate time daily to studying word lists and reviewing previous material. Rather than cramming, they focus on incremental learning and repetition.

Effective routines often include:

• Daily word study sessions
• Weekly cumulative reviews
• Practice tests under timed

Co-teaching is an inclusive education model in which students with special education needs are provided the opportunity to learn in a mainstream classroom with the additional support of a special education teacher who co-teaches with the general education teacher. This model has proven successful in many school districts for several reasons.

Benefits for students with special education requirements

First of all, the co-teaching model ensures that students with special needs have access to the general education curriculum. By law students with disabilities must be provided access to learning opportunities that do not restrict their ability to progress in a subject or grade level. In a co-taught class, special education students have the opportunity to move from modified assignments to typical assignments as they develop skills and confidence. As a result, co-taught special education students are generally more likely to meet grade-level standards.

While they have access to the mainstream curriculum, co-taught students also continue to receive specialized instruction. Special education teachers within the mainstream classroom can coach students individually, or in small groups, providing them the additional coaching and guidance necessary for them to complete activities and assignments.

Differentiated instruction

In addition to in-class support for mainstream assignments, co-taught students also have the opportunity to grow within the curriculum through differentiated instruction. Since there are two teachers in the class, the same material can be taught in two or more different ways. The special education teacher can anticipate student needs and, in planning lessons with the mainstream teacher,