[CALIBK12] Address causes of poor development (USA Today)

[Stephen Krashen]

Address causes of poor development
Published in USA Today, December 19, 2008


Experts quoted in USA TODAY's article "Poverty dramatically affects children's brains" seem to think that the solution to poor brain development of children in poverty should consist of "intervention" that includes "focused lessons and games" that need to be "incredibly intensive." This fails to deal directly with the cause of the problem (Life, Dec. 8).

Children of poverty suffer from malnutrition, stress and highly toxic environments.

Instead of focusing on intensive drills, how about providing more and better food, cleaner air and cleaner water? How about providing more access to books through improved libraries? How about ensuring a safe environment where children can play outside without stress and fear?

The only problem with this solution: less profit for textbook and software producers.

Stephen Krashen