If parents want their babies to grow up and have successful academic careers, they may want to help them work on their posture. The more these infants sit up straight, the greater the likelihood they could score well on an IQ test for kids later on in childhood.

Researchers from North Dakota State University, Fargo, and Texas A&M University recently found that a baby's body position may be linked to his or her cognitive development. Whether infants sat up on their own or with assistance, it was clear that their posture was connected to their ability to learn about objects and more.

"Helping a baby sit up in a secure, well-supported manner during learning sessions may help them in a wide variety of learning situations, not just during object-feature learning," said Rebecca J. Woods of North Dakota State University, who co-authored the study. "This knowledge can be advantageous, particularly to infants who have cognitive delays who truly need an optimal learning environment."

If parents are having a hard time teaching their babies to sit up straight, they should know that infant seats can be just as effective at improving their learning capabilities.