Researchers in North Carolina believe babies as young as seven months are capable of basic numeracy skills.
In a test, babies sat between two videos: one of two adults saying a word and one of three adults. The vast majority of seven-month-olds looked towards the video which corresponded to the correct number of people (ie three voices and three adults) they heard speaking.
The results suggest infants have basic awareness of numbers and make links through sight and sound with corresponding amounts.
The study has been welcomed by scientists who claim this test tells us children are far more mentally capable as babies, than was previously thought.
