Height could be correlated with "thriving" from infancy through childhood.
Also, I have tall children and they are regularly treated as older than they are, setting expectations higher for them in settings outside of school where they aren't grouped by age.
Me too. I have sons that are 6'4" and 6"2". I'm not "short", but am 5 foot whatever. Mostly my view is "thankful for the genetic luck" for the extra benefit of the doubt they get. And those benefits are very clear, despite other strengths both have.
Also, I have tall children and they are regularly treated as older than they are, setting expectations higher for them in settings outside of school where they aren't grouped by age.