A study showed that children who displayed academic skills when they started kindergarten, such as understanding the order of numbers or knowing letters, were more likely to fare better in elementary school. The ability to pay attention and to concentrate was also important, the team of researchers from the United States, Canada and Britain found from their analysis of six large, long-term studies, as was motivation to learn. Surprisingly, some social behaviors, such as having problems getting along with peers and acting sad, withdrawn or even disruptive, were not important predictors of future academic success.
(2008). Developmental Psychology,