Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 7, 2025

Experience is Instrumental in Tuning a Link Between Language and Cognition: Evidence from 6- to 7- Month-Old Infants' Object Categorization
Published on: April 19, 2017
Relationships between enriching early life experiences and cognitive function later in life are mediated by
Timothy P Morris1, Meishan Ai1, Laura Chaddock-Heyman2
1Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, USA.
Abstract:
The study of how engagement in enriching cognitive, physical and social activities in childhood impacts cognitive function decades later will advance our understanding of how modifiable lifestyle activities promote cognition across the lifespan. 88 healthy older adults (aged 60-80 years) returned a retrospective questionnaire regarding their participation in seven lifestyle activities (musical instrument playing, language learning, sport participation, art/dance lessons, scouting, volunteering, family vacations) before age 13 years. After controlling for current age, educational attainment, socioeconomic status of the mother and current engagement in lifestyle activities, a greater number of activities were significantly associated with better vocabulary abilities, episodic memory and fluid intelligence. The relationships with vocabulary and fluid intelligence were mediated by educational attainment. We postulate that engagement in a higher number of enriching early life activities is a reflection of both one's sociocontextual environment and engagement with that environment. This engagement leads to attributes relevant for educational aspirations/attainment, ultimately contributing to factors that have a lifespan impact on cognitive function.
More Related Videos
06:50The Use of the Puzzle Box as a Means of Assessing the Efficacy of Environmental Enrichment
Published on: December 29, 2014
09:01A Method for Investigating Age-related Differences in the Functional Connectivity of Cognitive Control Networks Associated with Dimensional Change Card Sort Performance
Published on: May 7, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Information Processing Approach
Biological Influences on Intelligence
Environmental Influences on Intelligence
Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Language and Cognition
Relationship with Parents: Attachment