Physical growth and cognitive skills in early-life: Evidence from a nationally representative US birth cohort

► Length/height shows a positive association to cognitive skills at 9 months, 24 months, 4 years, and kindergarten entry. ► Controls for birthweight and socioeconomic status partly reduce these associations. ► Early growth is a stronger predictor of reading and math skills at 4 years and kindergarten than contemporary height. ► Girls show stronger evidence of the latter result than boys.