#word gap

Trying a new segment for my weekly spread. A TIL-style two-column where I write down things I just learned, read, heard, saw… (and a whole load of them too!)

So, the first paragraph is the "intro". And the following paragraphs are separated into two columns: a "problem" column and a "solutions" column. Or the cause column and the effect column, in other cases. Just trying to organize ideas and summarize what could've been a very long concept or article.

Now that you have an understanding of what socioeconomic status and language and vocabulary acquisition are, I’m sure you’re probably wondering, “But how are they related?” Well, I’m glad you asked. 

You may not think that there is a connection between the amount of money a family makes and a child’s vocabulary, but there is actually a strong correlation.  By the age of 3, there is a 30 million word gap between children who come from wealthy families and children who come from poorer families.

A study, conducted by researchers at Stanford University, tested the language processing of 18 and 24 month old children using pictures and eye responses. The children from higher socioeconomic backgrounds performed far better than those in lower socioeconomic backgrounds. In fact, children at 24 months from lower SES performed at the same level as those at 18 months of age from higher SES. 

This could be because children in lower SES households experience and take part in less language exchange. Households with a higher SES exhibit more enriching conversations as well as interactions with their children. 

On economic disparity and the widening word gap. @theatlantic