How to improve life for at-risk children
Posted on October 13, 2012 in Child & Family Debates
Source: Globe & Mail — Authors: Editorial
TheGlobeandMail.com – commentary/editorials
Oct. 11 2012.
We have known for years that children from poor or abusive families have more challenges in school and, as adults, have markedly worse health. Now, scientists understand why. The experiences of a child during the first 2,000 days of his or her life affect brain circuitry and impair social and mental development because genes react to the environment.
The policy implications of this research, undertaken by the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), are enormous. By providing early learning enrichment, it is possible to reverse the impact of adverse circumstances on a child’s brain.
Hierarchical differences are apparent as early as kindergarten, according to research published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Children from less privileged backgrounds who are in subordinate roles in the classroom are already less attentive and less socially successful than their five-year-old peers and have less academic ability, concluded Dr. Tom Boyce of the University of British Columbia.
Teachers can mitigate the impact of this early social stratification by going out of their way to help at-risk children learn and by creating a culture of empathy in the classroom. Dr. Boyce calls these children “orchids” because need more nurturing to succeed than “dandelions,” who thrive in any circumstance.
Another study looked at the impact of parenting on cognitive and emotional development, showing once again the influence of environment on the brain and on epigenetic signals that control activities in the brain. “This isn’t about blaming parenting, but about providing equity for children at a time in their life that is critical for brain development,” said the University of Toronto’s Prof. Marla Sokolowski, who co-edited the papers with Dr. Boyce.
Investing in early learning yields positive returns for the individual and for society. It can help all children not only reach their potential, but also stave off a series of medical and mental health conditions later in life that are associated with childhood adversity.
< http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/editorials/how-to-improve-life-for-at-risk-children/article4607474/ >
Tags: budget, child care, disabilities, Health, mental Health, poverty, standard of living
This entry was posted on Saturday, October 13th, 2012 at 11:20 pm and is filed under Child & Family Debates. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
Recent Comments
If most people wrote about this subject with the eloquence that you just did, I’m sure people would do much more than just read, they act. Great stuff here. Please keep it up.
Wish I’d thought of this. Am in the field, but I procrastinate alot and haven’t written as much as I’d like. Thanks.
I like your blog. It sounds every informative.
The post is absolutely great! Lots of great info and inspiration, both of which we all need! Also like to admire the time and effort you put into your blog and detailed information you offer! I will bookmark your website!
I love what you’ve created here, this is definitely one of my favorite sites to visit.
Hi my family member! I want to say that this article is amazing, great written and include approximately all important infos. I’d like to see more posts like this .
I like your quality that you put into your writing . Please do continue with more like this.
A thoughtful insight and ideas I will use on my blog. You’ve obviously spent some time on this. Congratulations
This contained some excellent tips and tools. Great blog publication.
I am glad to be a visitor of this perfect blog !, appreciate it for this rare info!
I’ve thought about posting something about this before. Good job! Can I use part of your post in my blog?
fantastic internet site, I could definitely go to your web page once more…acquired some really nice info.
It’s continually awesome when you can not only be informed, but also entertained! I’m sure you had fun writing this article. Regards, Clotilde.
Thanks for a Interesting item; I enjoyed it very much. Regards Sang Magistrale
Please let us know when you plan to publish your book!
I was referred to this web site by my cousin. I’m not sure who has written this post, but you’ve really identified my problem. You’re wonderful! Thanks!
I will share you blog with my sis.
Well done! Keep up this quality!
I dont think Ive caught all the angles of this subject the way youve pointed them out. Youre a true star, a rock star man. Youve got so much to say and know so much about the subject that I think you should just teach a class about it
Your thing regarding creating will be practically nothing in short supply of awesome. This informative article is incredibly useful and contains offered myself a better solution to be able to my own issues. Which can be the specific purpose MY PARTNER AND I has been doing a search online. I am advocating this informative article with a good friend. I know they are going to get the write-up since beneficial as i would. Yet again many thanks.