Giving Compass' Take:

• New research has found that a curious nature in children is a factor that stands out from others, and shows that the more curious the child, the more success they will see academically. 

• How will this research change how we respond to student curiosity? 

• Here's why we need to empower young women by encouraging curiosity. 

For years, scientists have documented the downsides of growing up poor. Studies have shown kids from low-income families are generally less ready to start school. They score lower on vocabulary tests and have more trouble concentrating in class. What's more, being chronically hungry, unsafe, or neglected can re-shape a developing child's brain, dosing it with toxic stress.

New research published in the journal Pediatric Research in April suggests there may be one simple trait that can help kids learn and succeed in school, regardless of their socioeconomic background.

Researchers who looked at the reading and math scores of 6,200 kindergarteners in 2006 and 2007 found that those kids whose parents rated their children's behavior as most curious did the best in school, regardless of socioeconomic status. The results were consistent for both boys and girls, too.

The high-performing kids from all walks of life liked trying new things, and were rated as more imaginative in both work and play by their parents.

The kids' reading and math scores were consistently better the more curious they were. That was true even when the students weren't very good at a self-control measure called "effortful control," which tracks how attentive and persistent students are when completing tasks.

Read the full article about which kids will be successful by Hilary Brueck at Business Insider.