Temple University Study Sheds New Light On How Toddlers Learn Language Skills

By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - For close to 20 years we have known that by three years old, children from low income families have heard 30 million fewer words than more affluent children, putting them at an educational disadvantage even before they begin school.

Now, research from a major study is demonstrating that more language isn't enough; but the quality of communication between children, their parents and caregivers is of much greater importance than the number of words.

Kathryn Hirsh-Pasek, a Temple University professor, lead author of the research of 60 two year-olds says it's about fluid conversations around shared rituals and objects, such as pretending to have coffee together or using a banana for a telephone.

One year later, at three, there was a 27% variation in expressive language, not significantly changed when researchers controlled for parents' educational level.

In sum, "we must model what talking looks like."

Read more in The New York Times.