Get E-Mail Updates

Kids Need All the Positive Words They Can Get

Recently a bunch of people e-mailed me the same New York Times column, which cited a variety of scientific research suggesting that what we think of as intelligence is quite malleable in children and owes little or nothing to genetics. What stuck out to me was one study which found that a child of professionals (disproportionately white) has heard about 30 million words spoken by age 3, while a black child raised on welfare has heard only 10 million words. No wonder low-income children often show brain physiologies similar to adults who have suffered damage in the parts of the brain most critical for problem-solving and creativity. In too many cases, their young minds are literally starving for stimulation. Now here is the good news: According to the scientists, it doesn't have to be that way. If we nurture kids the right way, we can actually make them smart.

Related Reading

Take Action on This Issue

Tell the Senate: Don't Cut International Aid

Please join us in telling the Senate: Protect foreign aid programs that help the poor and the needy. 

What does that have to do with The Walnut Hills Fellowship? Well, since practically everything we do around here is about trying to nurture our kids

Sojourners relies on the support of readers like you to sustain our message and ministry.

Related Stories

Resources

Like what you're reading? Get Sojourners E-Mail updates!

by: 1Grace

07-17-2009 @ 1:50pm

Awesome, Evangelism with a plan to make things better . Love it .

by: TedVothJr

07-17-2009 @ 10:27pm

Don't TELL the world, SHOW the world.

by: mscynthia

07-18-2009 @ 3:29am

While you are at it don't forget to learn and sing as many songs from camp and church school as the children can stuff into their long summer days. More opportunities to fill their minds with language that will stick to them for life.

by: 1Grace

07-17-2009 @ 1:50pm

Awesome, Evangelism with a plan to make things better . Love it .

by: TedVothJr

07-17-2009 @ 10:27pm

Don't TELL the world, SHOW the world.

by: mscynthia

07-18-2009 @ 3:29am

While you are at it don't forget to learn and sing as many songs from camp and church school as the children can stuff into their long summer days. More opportunities to fill their minds with language that will stick to them for life.

by: mscynthia

07-18-2009 @ 5:29am

While you are at it don't forget to learn and sing as many songs from camp and church school as the children can stuff into their long summer days. More opportunities to fill their brain cells with language that will stick to hearts and minds for life.

by: mscynthia

07-18-2009 @ 5:29am

While you are at it don't forget to learn and sing as many songs from camp and church school as the children can stuff into their long summer days. More opportunities to fill their brain cells with language that will stick to hearts and minds for life.

Comments sorted by highest rated. After voting you must refresh your page to see the sort order change.

by: 1Grace

07-17-2009 @ 1:50pm

Awesome, Evangelism with a plan to make things better . Love it .

by: 1Grace

07-17-2009 @ 1:50pm

Awesome, Evangelism with a plan to make things better . Love it .

by: TedVothJr

07-17-2009 @ 10:27pm

Don't TELL the world, SHOW the world.

by: TedVothJr

07-17-2009 @ 10:27pm

Don't TELL the world, SHOW the world.

by: mscynthia

07-18-2009 @ 3:29am

While you are at it don't forget to learn and sing as many songs from camp and church school as the children can stuff into their long summer days. More opportunities to fill their minds with language that will stick to them for life.

by: mscynthia

07-18-2009 @ 3:29am

While you are at it don't forget to learn and sing as many songs from camp and church school as the children can stuff into their long summer days. More opportunities to fill their minds with language that will stick to them for life.

by: mscynthia

07-18-2009 @ 5:29am

While you are at it don't forget to learn and sing as many songs from camp and church school as the children can stuff into their long summer days. More opportunities to fill their brain cells with language that will stick to hearts and minds for life.

by: mscynthia

07-18-2009 @ 5:29am

While you are at it don't forget to learn and sing as many songs from camp and church school as the children can stuff into their long summer days. More opportunities to fill their brain cells with language that will stick to hearts and minds for life.