Could the “word gap” be more myth than fact? Or is it a useful tool for understanding inequality in early childhood? On this episode of School’s In, Stanford Assistant Professor Monica Ellwood-Lowe joins the show to unpack one of the most cited – and most debated – ideas in early childhood development: the so-called “word gap,” or idea that children from lower-income families hear fewer words than those from more affluent homes. She explains what the latest research says about the quantity and quality of early language exposure, the effects of structural and economic inequities on parental engagement, and how brain development might differ not because of what children lack, but because of how they adapt.
School’s In is your go-to podcast for cutting-edge insights and enlightening conversations in education. Presented by Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE), School’s In is hosted by GSE Dean Dan Schwartz and Senior Lecturer Denise Pope. Denise Pope is a senior lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Education, where her research focuses on curriculum studies, service learning, student engagement, and school reform. She is also the co-founder of Challenge Success, which focuses on student well-being, engagement, and belonging. They invite you to join them as they navigate the complexities of post-pandemic education and discuss the latest research in teaching and learning.