When I was a young mother, I remember thinking that if my baby was not crying, he must be okay. He had everything he needed. I now know that babies need so much more from the adults in their lives.
Fortunately, what babies need most to develop the early skills to be good readers, writers, listeners and communicators does not cost money. Babies need the adults in their lives to do three simple things – talk, sing, and read to them.
A study by psychologists Betty Hart and Todd Risley showed that children from lower-income families hear 30 million fewer words than children from higher-income families by the time they are three years old. This difference in vocabularies means that children will have fewer experiences to draw on as they hear directions, listen to books, and learn to read.
Building a child’s vocabulary begins at birth. Each time we talk to our baby when changing her diaper, telling her what we are doing each step of the way. Every time we sing a song to play with or soothe our baby. Every time we “read” a book, just pointing and labeling each picture.
The quality of the words and interactions between the child and adult are as important as the number of words. This does not mean long, complicated words. It means that the words are a part of a conversation, with several exchanges back and forth between the child and adult. Here’s an example of a conversation with a toddler with limited verbal skills, but able to understand much more than she can say. “Look at that bird! [The child looks in the direction of the bird] What is it doing? [The child says, “Flying!] It’s flying now? Yes it is! Where do you think it’s going?”
Families living in poverty may need our help to ensure each child in our community has the start she or he deserves. If you know of an expecting or new mother who may qualify for Early Head Start or Head Start, please send her our website for more information: www.firststartpartnerships.org.
I look forward to sharing more with you about the early years in the coming months. In the meantime, love the babies in your life. Talk, sing and read to them. Hold them as long as they will let you. You will be making brain connections that will last a lifetime.
Dr. Annette Searfoss is the President & CEO at First Start Partnerships for Children and Families (formerly Franklin County Head Start Program). First Start Partnerships currently provides early education for 671 children and their families across Franklin County, in 35 Head Start, Early Head Start and Pre-K Counts funded classrooms.
