Brain Differences Between Poor and Rich Kids

Greg Toppo, top education news reporter for USA Today, highlights a ground-breaking study in his piece on December 8th that provides incontrovertible evidence, perhaps for the very first time, on how poverty afflicts children's brains. Toppo reported on a study published in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience that found poverty affects the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that is critical for problem-solving and creativity.

This study emphasizes the devastating effects of poverty on children's achievement. But we must be wary about its conclusions. Some will suggest it provides grist for the mill for Charles Murray's argument that these children are incorrigible, unable to learn, and unworthy of federal dollar supports to improve their achievement. Looking at the long list of failed interventions, they'll use these studies as evidence of their claims.

Their point will resonate with many folks as indicated by Murray's best seller status. And if the truth be told, too often we have provided watered down, poorly-constructed, low-cost interventions that have shown little for our tax dollars.

Unfortunately, what this study doesn't emphasize is that we can change the odds for children in poverty. However, we need powerful, intensive interventions. I've conducted research, highlighted in "Changing the Odds for Children at Risk," that demonstrates interventions that have sustainable impact over time. These interventions follow seven essentials: they target children who need help the most; begin early; use coordinated services to provide much-needed health care, provide high dosage efforts that involve highly trained professionals; compensatory services; and are accountable for results.

Programs like Nurse-Family partnerships, Early Head Start, Bright Beginnings and others indicate what can and should be done to ensure low-income children's achievement.

Comments

[RightWingMarine]

so first we complain that government boondoggles thus far have been pointless and the solution to this another government boondoggle? But this one will be different and not a waste of our tax dollars right?

Children living in poverty is sad and if this condition does stunt brain development that is tragic, but it is not the responsibility of the American taxpayer to pay to raise someone else's children.

[mediatrips]

" ... we need powerful, intensive interventions."

These type of statements make me very nervous.

Any program like this must be voluntary. And parents are not going to volunteer if they are being accused or attacked in the process.

[Elizabeth Rigby - Huffpost Blogger]

The interventions discussed above (e.g., nurse home visiting, early head start) are voluntary programs. "Powerful and intensive" does not equal mandatory or coercive. Yet, I think your concern raises an important point about how we think (and talk) about these programs. Maybe the use of the term "intervention" is the problem since it suggests those who know better stepping into the lives of those on the wrong track. In reality, the most effective interventions serve more as resource and support services (providing education, child care, literacy enrichment etc.) to bolster parents' efforts to raise smart, adjusted, and happy kids.

[Jane]

More details! This is a very shallow survey of this topic. Please, if you are an expert, provide more details and better analysis. Thanks.

[pons1595]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-12-07-childrens-brains_N.htm

http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_Poverty_Affects_Childrens_Brain_Activity_30795.html

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081204.wbrainincome1204/BNStory/Science/home

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/nationworld/104574.php