Tag: word gap

Ex-Cons Find Support at College, Struggling Coal Country Aims to Diversify Its Economy and More

Posted on by robbie

 
Building a Prison-to-School Pipeline, The New Yorker
Former prisoners studying at the University of California-Berkeley have a complicated relationship with their classmates: In many ways, the previously incarcerated are more worldly, yet less scholarly, than younger students who enroll straight out of high school. That’s why ex-cons formed the Underground Scholars Initiative, a group of former inmates who help each other navigate Cal and recruit those still in the penitentiary to apply to college.

In Life After Coal, Appalachia Attempts to Reinvent Itself, Governing
In all of Eastern Kentucky, there are barely 4,000 coal mining jobs left, down from 30,000 positions just 15 years ago. Undercut by natural gas prices and tough environmental regulations, those in Appalachia are echoing one solution: diversification. This fall, Harlan County hired its first full-time economic development manager to drum up business — a major step on the way to rebuilding a functioning economy.

The Urban Playground That Builds Kids’ Brains, CityLab
On average, a wealthy child hears 30 million more words than a low-income peer. To reduce the gap, why not put words wherever kids are? Even at playgrounds. That’s the theory behind the illustrated sentences adorning the jungle gym at Officer Willie Wilkins Park in Oakland, Calif. “Let’s talk about sunshine,” “Let’s talk about food,” one can read on the playground, a helpful reminder nudging parents to talk with their children more.

The Simple Idea Behind Hillary Clinton’s Ambitious Campaign to Close the Word Gap

Posted on by robbie

They say “talk is cheap,” but when it comes to giving children the best possible start in life, the simple act of talking to them is one of the most valuable lessons parents can give. (And it doesn’t cost a dime!)
That’s the idea behind Hillary Clinton’s “Talking is Teaching” campaign where everything from preparing a meal to taking a bus ride can be an opportunity to increase the number of words young children hear each day.
“What we learned is pretty simple but profound: When you talk to that little infant from the moment you meet him or her, when you read, when you sing, you are building brain capacity,” Clinton recently told reporters at the launch of the “Talking is Teaching” campaign at a Tulsa, Oklahoma preschool. “You are creating the opportunity for that child to live up to his or her God-given potential.”
According to Tulsa World, children usually know 500 words by the age four and the goal of the former First Lady’s campaign is to increase that to 1,100 words.
MORE:  Can $5 Million Keep Community College Students in School?
Why exactly is talking so important? Research shows that there’s a significant “word gap” between affluent and low-income families. Clinton writes on the Too Small to Fail website that by age four, wealthier children hear about 15 million more words than children in working-class families, and 30 million more words than children in families on welfare. The reason? Low-income parents or caretakers who work multiple jobs a day might not have the time to interact as much with their kids. Unfortunately, this is a setback that puts these children at a significant disadvantage before they even enter preschool.
According to Clinton, the “Talking is Teaching” campaign will work with employers and the business community to encourage them to give these less-affluent parents more flexibility and support. You can learn more about the initiative here.
Now that’s something to talk about.