Laura M Justice1,2, Hui Jiang3, Randi Bates1, Abel Koury4. 1. Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, USA. 2. Educational Psychology Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, USA. 3. Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, USA. jiang.200@osu.edu. 4. Compelling Analytics, LLC, Columbus, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Young children living in low-income households experience disparities in language development compared to their advantaged peers, with large differences in language skill by kindergarten entry. In this study, we sought to determine whether there were disparities in early language trajectories within a low-income sample of children from 9 to 36 months as a function of maternal education. We hypothesized that children with more highly educated mothers would show accelerated language trajectories compared to children with less educated mothers. METHODS: Using observational data collected from a longitudinal birth-cohort sample of 192 low-income mother-infant dyads in Ohio from 2014 to 2018, children's language skills were assessed at three time-points (ages 9-13 months, 20-24 months, and 32-36 months). Multi-level growth curve models were used to examine early language trajectories through three years of age as a function of maternal education. RESULTS: Multilevel growth curve models showed distinct language trajectories: young low-income children have significantly better language skills at 15 months if their mother had a college education compared to not, and this gap remained significant to almost 3 years of age. CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: Among young low-income children, disparities emerge in early language trajectories that differentiate children with less- versus more-educated mothers. Given that these disparities are apparent near the child's first birthday, it is necessary that pediatric care providers monitor children's early language trajectories and guide families to resources when lags are apparent.
OBJECTIVES: Young children living in low-income households experience disparities in language development compared to their advantaged peers, with large differences in language skill by kindergarten entry. In this study, we sought to determine whether there were disparities in early language trajectories within a low-income sample of children from 9 to 36 months as a function of maternal education. We hypothesized that children with more highly educated mothers would show accelerated language trajectories compared to children with less educated mothers. METHODS: Using observational data collected from a longitudinal birth-cohort sample of 192 low-income mother-infant dyads in Ohio from 2014 to 2018, children's language skills were assessed at three time-points (ages 9-13 months, 20-24 months, and 32-36 months). Multi-level growth curve models were used to examine early language trajectories through three years of age as a function of maternal education. RESULTS: Multilevel growth curve models showed distinct language trajectories: young low-income children have significantly better language skills at 15 months if their mother had a college education compared to not, and this gap remained significant to almost 3 years of age. CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: Among young low-income children, disparities emerge in early language trajectories that differentiate children with less- versus more-educated mothers. Given that these disparities are apparent near the child's first birthday, it is necessary that pediatric care providers monitor children's early language trajectories and guide families to resources when lags are apparent.
Entities:
Keywords:
Developmental disparities; Early childhood; Language; Maternal education; Poverty
Authors: Kimberly G Noble; Laura E Engelhardt; Natalie H Brito; Luke J Mack; Elizabeth J Nail; Jyoti Angal; Rachel Barr; William P Fifer; Amy J Elliott Journal: Dev Psychobiol Date: 2015-03-30 Impact factor: 3.038
Authors: Rosa S Wong; Keith T S Tung; Nirmala Rao; Ko Ling Chan; King-Wa Fu; Jason C Yam; Winnie W Y Tso; Wilfred H S Wong; Terry Y S Lum; Ian C K Wong; Patrick Ip Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-06-27 Impact factor: 4.614