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Mom a Poor Reader? That Could Hurt Her Kid's Success, Study Shows
Filed under: In The News, Research Reveals: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Research Reveals: Big Kids, Research Reveals: Tweens, Research Reveals: Teens
Reading to your kids is a great way to give them a head start on reading and math skills. Credit: Getty Images
A mother's reading skill is the greatest determinant of her children's future academic success and outweighs other influences, such as neighborhood and family income. So, improving mothers' literacy skills may be the best way to boost their children's achievement, the study, released by the National Institutes of Health and published in the most recent issue of Demography shows.
Acquiring basic reading and math skills during childhood is important to success in adult life, the authors report, citing previous research, which shows that "cognitive skills are powerful determinants of access to cognitively demanding jobs and higher wages, even when the effects of schooling, work experience and social class background are controlled for."
By studying which factors most affect children's skill achievement, researchers can develop policies and interventions to help improve children's education -- especially among disadvantaged children -- and hopefully break the cycle of low achievement that can be passed down through generations, the study reports.
The study, which used data collected from 2,350 children from Los Angeles, ages 3 to 17, during 2000-2001, found significant socioeconomic inequalities in children's skills associated with neighborhood income and family socioeconomic status including mother's reading achievement and schooling and family income and assets. Differences in family and neighborhood socioeconomic status are associated with at least one-fifth of the total inequality in children's reading scores and one-third in children's math scores.
"Children in higher-SES families score better on the assessments primarily because their mothers have better reading skills and more schooling and because they live in higher income neighborhoods," the researchers say.
The authors found that mothers with higher reading scores were more likely to read to children regularly, to have children's books in the house and to enjoy reading themselves -- all behaviors that have been shown to positively affect children's reading skills.
After the mother's reading level, neighborhood income level was, overall, the largest determining factor of children's academic achievement. However, for children ages 8 to 17 -- the middle and higher end of the age range -- neighborhood income had the largest impact. The researchers say this is in line with the idea that the environment outside the home becomes more important as children get older.
The authors conclude that programs designed to reduce socioeconomic inequality in children's skills acquisition should focus specifically on children whose parents have poor reading skills. This could include programs that target higher quality early childhood and school-based programs to these children or by providing adult literacy education to their parents.
"The findings indicate that programs to improve maternal literacy skills may provide an effective means to overcome the disparity in academic achievement between children in poor and affluent neighborhoods," says Dr. Rebecca Clark, chief of the Demographic and Behavioral Sciences Branch at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the NIH institute that funded the study.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 2)
10-26-2010 @ 8:26PM
emma said...Studies like this discourage people and also cost us money we don't need to spend. Right away, the "solution" was to offer literacy programs to the parents, not a bad idea in itself, but there we go - the first idea is to throw money at the problem. The authors of the study should read "Gifted Hands" the story of Dr. Benjamin Carson, the world famous neurosurgeon. His mother was illiterate but pushed her boys and expected them to read, read, read. Parent committment is at the core of every successful kid and the easiest solution is for parents to turn off the boob tube and send time with their kids.
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10-26-2010 @ 9:08PM
Gerri said...The solution to address parent literacy does that have to cost money. And when it does involve a small fee, it can be paid by the parent. Too often we are short sighted. The more educated or in this case literate, a community is the more likely the community members are to be engaged. This engagement reaches beyond their childrens education and extends to civic and neighbor involvement and interaction. There is an abundance of studies and data that show that literacy levels directly impact the quality of life for all community members.
10-26-2010 @ 11:13PM
BTDT said...Yestiday I couldn't even spell edumicated and tiday I is one.
10-27-2010 @ 4:58AM
cmccollege said...Let's not forget about "modeling". Children will model the behavior of their parents. Often times pushing your child to do something only nets temporasry results and can create lots of frustration in the process. Taking nothing away from Dr. Carson's mom, I think she is a great example, but when children see their parents are interested in something they tend to at least be curious.This can create a love for something and thier commitment is much stronger. This not only applies to reading, but to every facet of life. Read up on Bandura and his studies on social learning theory.
10-26-2010 @ 8:41PM
keith said...What about FATHERS reading skills?
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10-26-2010 @ 8:47PM
Merry said...As a former Reading teacher, I can tell you that unfortunately most parents who are non-readers - whether they are illiterate or whether they simply don't like to read - do not encourage their children to read at home.
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10-26-2010 @ 8:59PM
Julie said...Where's the common sense? OF COURSE mother's who read well and often have kids who do better in school. Those are generally the mothers who value education and expect their children to do well. The mother's skills aren't what makes the child successful. It's her attitude about education. I could be on a pre-school reading level, but if I taught my child that reading is important and school her number one priority, she could perform as well as the child of an avid reader.
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10-26-2010 @ 9:24PM
bob smith said...I do not agree my wife of 50 years has only managed to reach a 4th grade level. my 3 daughters scored 97-99 on the iowa tests when they were children and 2 have mba's
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10-26-2010 @ 10:28PM
Avid Reading Dad said...What about the Dad? Where is the answer to the question of the effect of the literacy of the DAD on the child. This study is not valid until it addresses homes with both a mom and dad and how that interplays with the intelligence of the child. Where is that study?
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10-26-2010 @ 11:13PM
Jean said...You're right. Why didn't they mention Dad? Most of these "studies" and media perception tend to downplay Dad at every turn. Dad is usually the "deadbeat sperm donor", and Mom is usually the "heroic superwoman".
10-27-2010 @ 4:58AM
kelly said...Maybe they just stopped doing father statistics because so few homes actually have one these days! LOL. I do not think that the actual reading level is what is important here as much as the attitude that the mother has toward education. Odds are if she is well educated, she will take education more seriously than if she is not; therefore, more importance will be placed on education in the home. It also makes you wonder how much can be attributed to genetics, since there is a strong genetic component to intelligence.
10-26-2010 @ 10:32PM
trish said...This is true, my mother came from a very poor family in the south, they didn't push education for girls as much when she was growing up, and in turn she kept me home from school for every little thing, I missed so much school I never knew what was going on in school, and as far as I knew the school system never did anything about it. I always had to stay home if she was sick or if the babies kept her up all night and so on. I could have done so much more with my life if only I had the chance I think, my grades weren't good enough to get in to collage so I gave up. I guess I was an abused kid in sorts, I feel cheated, I made sure my grammer was proper and my vocabulary was good, so I was able to fudge my way into better jobs than my parents had, but I could never be a teacher like I always wanted to be. I NEVER talked baby talk to my son and daughter, they always had good speaking skills and that helped them a lot with their reading and the workings of the English language. My teachers always liked my book reports, even though they knew a lot of the books I didn't read the entire book, they just liked my writing skills and the ability to spin a good yarn. And that my daughter seemed to learn from me very easly, she had a good concept of how to write. My son, not so much.
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10-27-2010 @ 9:25AM
Kathryn said...I admire your determination but remember it is never too late to go back to school and become the teacher you have always wanted to be.I returned to school in my forties and finished my degree and I can tell you I have a wonderful sense of accomplishment.You will be setting a wonderful example for your children by showing them that it is never too late to fulfill your dreams.I wish you well.
10-26-2010 @ 10:41PM
Donna said...My sister struggled in school and is probably dyslexic but that was not a diagnosis while she was attending school. This could be an issue with some parents and also their children as I know my nephew, struggled in school. I am not sure if it was her inability to provide much help after he reached a certain grade level or the possibility of him also being dyslexic. With that said, offering literacy programs to parents would not only enable the parents to help the children but would also possibly enable the parents to get a better job and just feel better about themselves and help bring the US up to a better standard. Cost? Priceless! Also unfortunately, I think the success stories listed are outweighed by the low achievers.
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10-26-2010 @ 11:27PM
stepbakitzkat said..."studies" can be done in ways to show almost anything. Whether a mother is an avid reader has nothing to do with how well her child does with reading. It's the initiative the mother or parent takes to make sure her child gets the help they need to succeed. My parents immigrated to the U.S. from Russia and barely spoke English let alone knew how to read it when I was in grammar school. Since kindergarden the importance of school was stresssed to me by my parents, who also found a tutor who would check my homework since they were unable to do so themselves. Today I am a law school student and help my parents with THEIR reading. Goes to show that it does not matter what economic class you are from or how well your parents read. As long as the parents make it a priority to instill the importance of school in the child, the only thing needed for a child or any student to succeed is hard work and determination. I wish society would stop making excuses such as economic class, as to why some students do better than others.
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10-27-2010 @ 5:44AM
Cait said...I agree that studies can be done to prove whatever the researchers want to show. However just because your parents were unable to read English doesn't mean that they couldn't have been avid readers, I believe books are available in Russian as well as English. You say that they stressed to you the importance of school and took the initiative to find a tutor to check your homework, but then you go on to say that socioeconomic class has nothing to do with success. Have you ever been to an inner city school? I have. I tutored at one my freshman year in college. It is wonderful that your parents pushed you to strive, the majority of parents in these areas (whether they be black, white, hispanic, asian, etc... whether they speak English or not... whether they are single mothers, single fathers, or two parent homes) are at an econmic loss and despite those that may push their children to learn they are severely lacking in resources. The schools in these areas are lacking in resources. The children in poor socioeconomic areas are not being given the tools and attention that they need to excel. This, combined with the fact that in some areas these children are more concerned about whether they are going to be eating dinner that night or going hungry, whether someone they love is going to make it home safe that night, kids that are working beyond legal limits at an early age... it's pretty hard to focus on homework when your future depends on making it through the present in circumstances which most can't even fathom.There just isn't enough time, money, or manpower even as a joint effort between parents and schools. Some are given the support that they need to strive, many are not. It is one big vicious circle that will continue without mass educational reform, increased funding, and the support of those, like yourself, who are well educated stepping in to tutor, advocate for the cause, and helping to ensure that education is equal despite economic disadvantage. It isn't an excuse... there is no excuse for letting children slip through the system and not be given every opportunity to do their very best... but it is definitely a reason. Please don't be so quick to judge those have not had the support, love, and opportunities that you have had.
8-27-2011 @ 3:39PM
j said...i didn't know your parents couldn't read ..and i miss you on aol after all these years
10-27-2010 @ 12:29AM
rossjrmtholly said...Nature set it up beautifully. Starting with a minute amount of genetic material a mother can produce a product, a baby, that guarantees the existence of the human species. The product comes complete with a food supply! I am not surprised that mothers are damn good teachers of their infants! They are with their children daily for a number of years before the child is turned over to the school system. There is no need for us daddies to feel like just "sperm donors." Our responsibility is clear. Mommy and baby should be loved and well taken care of from the beginning to the end! There is nothing more important to our survival than a Woman; some of them decide to be Mothers! It is nice to know that something as basic as reading is an important tool in the early education of her child.
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10-27-2010 @ 5:05AM
Rich said...Your life began with YOUR FATHER. I've said this many times and yet people still fail to accept the truth. As a sperm cell you were already a living thing. An egg is foodstuff. You can sit on an egg till doomsday but without that living sperm cell to feed on it, it will NEVER hatch. Men are not "sperm donors". Your mother was given the ability to feed you for 9 months but she did not give you life. Sorry women, I mean no disrespect, you serve an important role in producing a baby but the old saying, "she is having HIS baby" is just as true today as it ever was.
10-27-2010 @ 5:21AM
cqdeed said...I agree with the attitude being predominate over the reading skills having more effect. I was the reader in my family. I used to read to my kids all the time....except when I was away. I was in the Navy and missed more of their early childhood than I wanted. My wife was a high school grad and read well but didn't like to read and didn't like school. Her attitude had more effect than whatever I could do. My daughter graduated from high school but was uninterested in going to college and got married when she was 26. My son dropped out in the 10th grade. I had custody of him from the time he was 15 and I worked constantly with him. I checked his homework when he finished but he didn't bother to turn it in. I put him in the 10th grade 3 times. On the third time when he turned 18 his mother called him and said "if you come live with me I won't make you got to school." That was that! He was gone in a flash. In less than a year he came back to live with me but by then it was too late to return to high school and he wasn't interested in a GED program. He finally got his GED when he was about 27 only because he needed it after he went to work for a decent company instead of cooking fast food.
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