Children of less educated moms have "noisier brains" and lower test scores
"Children of less educated moms have "noisier brains". The implication of this extra noise is that this NOISE causes disadvantage in standardized testing and in life.
The majority of the children with less educated moms are from families of low socio-economic backgrounds. Having less money means less access to prenatal care, bad eating habits (poorer nutrition), fewer books available in the home (many of these people don't even know what a "home library" is, not even a set of encyclopedias and less emphasis on education and studying.
In most of these homes the focus is on survival, such as getting a job and earning money. Each generation misses the opportunity for a good education and the importance of a good education.
The "noise" the researchers are referring to was evaluated by looking at studies of the brain when stimulated by sound and when there is quiet. Scalp electrodes were used to measure brain activity. Kids with mothers who had less education had more noise (activity) when there was NO SOUND STIMULUS in the room at all, and were less responsive when a sound was presented. They have learned to block out stimulus because of the constant noise that is around them at home and environs. Noise pollution and invaded neural space. (sounds like a form of ptsd).
The children suffering from "noisy" brains consistently scored lower on standardized tests.
Children of privilege (spacious surroundings and good nutrition) tend to score higher on tests have peace and quiet. They have home libraries and access to educational tools like books, music and surrounded by people who are educated and speak proper english. Children who grow up in a family with educated parents are exposed to THIRTY MILLION MORE WORDS than children whose families are on welfare; all by the time they are 3 years old!
People can break free of these limitations but it is important to recognize you are up against a greater challenge - it takes a village to raise a child, so live in the best village you can. County community college libraries are open to the public. They have daycare. College students run the daycare. Bypass where you come from and utilize your local community college and the people who work there, attend there and tutor there.
Education can help break this cycle, both of the "noisy" brain and of poverty. Use of a fan in each room in a smaller home, to create white noise and block out the noise that shouldn't be in the environment may also be helpful.
The majority of the children with less educated moms are from families of low socio-economic backgrounds. Having less money means less access to prenatal care, bad eating habits (poorer nutrition), fewer books available in the home (many of these people don't even know what a "home library" is, not even a set of encyclopedias and less emphasis on education and studying.
In most of these homes the focus is on survival, such as getting a job and earning money. Each generation misses the opportunity for a good education and the importance of a good education.
The "noise" the researchers are referring to was evaluated by looking at studies of the brain when stimulated by sound and when there is quiet. Scalp electrodes were used to measure brain activity. Kids with mothers who had less education had more noise (activity) when there was NO SOUND STIMULUS in the room at all, and were less responsive when a sound was presented. They have learned to block out stimulus because of the constant noise that is around them at home and environs. Noise pollution and invaded neural space. (sounds like a form of ptsd).
The children suffering from "noisy" brains consistently scored lower on standardized tests.
Children of privilege (spacious surroundings and good nutrition) tend to score higher on tests have peace and quiet. They have home libraries and access to educational tools like books, music and surrounded by people who are educated and speak proper english. Children who grow up in a family with educated parents are exposed to THIRTY MILLION MORE WORDS than children whose families are on welfare; all by the time they are 3 years old!
People can break free of these limitations but it is important to recognize you are up against a greater challenge - it takes a village to raise a child, so live in the best village you can. County community college libraries are open to the public. They have daycare. College students run the daycare. Bypass where you come from and utilize your local community college and the people who work there, attend there and tutor there.
Education can help break this cycle, both of the "noisy" brain and of poverty. Use of a fan in each room in a smaller home, to create white noise and block out the noise that shouldn't be in the environment may also be helpful.
Replies
We need to address and start valuing All Children. To help them see their intrinsic value...Better education for All...that means better schools in poverty stricken areas. Just my opinion. hugs/
the \"noise\" in their brains is caused by a noisy/bad home environment - they have taught themselves to \"tune out\" as a way to survive their home environment, which then affects their brain biologically. they aren\'t born dumber, its that their home environment isn\'t conducive to learning or being open to things.
I think Milton Hershey had it right when he put together boarding schools for poor children, just as nice as the \"rich\" boarding schools and funded them via hershey\'s chocolate. it got them OUT of bad situations and into a place for them to really thrive.
I have been to the Hershey school, and they do some amazing things there. They are up on the latest teaching techniques and do innovative things with the kids. It\'s wonderful to see it in action! *HUGS*