三歲看老? 大腦測試可預測孩子的未來!

Brain tests at the age of three appear to predict a child's future chance of success in life, say researchers.

研究人員於日前表示，三歲時的大腦測試似乎預示着一個孩子未來在生活中獲得成功的機會。

Low cognitive test scores for skills like language indicate less developed brains, possibly caused by too little stimulation in early life, they say.

他們還表示，低語言能力的認知測試分數意味着大腦不太發達，可能是由於早期生活中的刺激太少。

The US researchers from Duke University say the findings highlight the importance of early life experiences and interventions to support vulnerable youngsters.

來自杜克大學的美國研究人員稱，這些發現突出了早期生活經驗和干預措施對支持弱勢青少年的重要性。

Although the study followed people in New Zealand, the investigators believe that the results could apply to other countries.

此次研究的對象是新西蘭的孩子，但是研究人員認爲結果可能也適用於其他國家。

They followed the lives of more than 1,000 children. Those who had low test scores for language, behavioural, movement and cognitive skills at three years old went on to account for more than 80% of crimes, and received 66% of social welfare payments in adulthood.

在研究人員追蹤的1000多個孩子的生活中，那些在三歲時語言能力、行爲能力、運動能力和認知能力的測試成績低的人，佔犯罪的80％，並且在成年後獲得了66％的社會福利金。

The researchers found that a similar proportion of middle class children who scored low in tests when they were three also went on to experience difficulties when they were older.

研究人員還發現，相當比例的中產階級的孩子在三歲時的測試得分較低，在年齡較大時也會遇到困難。

The researchers stress that the outcomes are not set at the age of three. The course of their lives could potentially be changed if they receive support later in life.

研究人員強調，結果不是在三歲時設定的。如果他們在生命後期得到支持，他們的生活過程可能會有所改變。