TED Talks Daily How does income affect childhood brain development? | Kimberly Noble
Apr 2, 2019
Kimberly Noble, a leading neuroscientist and pediatrician, discusses her groundbreaking research on how family income influences childhood brain development. She reveals insightful findings from a study analyzing brain scans of over 1,000 children, showcasing the stark cognitive impacts of poverty. Noble argues that simple cash transfers to families can significantly enhance children's emotional and cognitive growth, challenging the notion that a child's brain is fixed by their circumstances. With optimism, she emphasizes that improving economic conditions can unlock potential in young minds.
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Income's Impact on Brain Structure
- Family income is associated with children's cortical surface area, impacting language and self-control.
- This link is strongest at the lowest income levels, suggesting small income increases can have significant impact.
Poverty's Long-Term Effects
- Children in poverty often have lower cognitive scores before kindergarten, impacting later academic success.
- By age 35, a child raised in poverty has a significantly higher chance of also being poor.
Brain Plasticity and Early Intervention
- Neuroplasticity means that brain differences don't determine a child's future.
- Focusing solely on school-based interventions may be too late, as disparities emerge earlier.