This app is no longer available for download, but concepts and videos are already included in the STEM Starts Now program.
By age three, children from low-income families are likely to hear 30 million fewer words than their more affluent peers. This is known as the “word gap,” and it can have serious consequences for our children.
The Word Gap App from STEM Starts Now provides valuable resources to help parents bridge the word gap and interact with their babies in a whole new way!
Caring for the Caregiver
We know having a baby is stressful! Taking care of a baby is one of the hardest jobs on earth, but you do not have to do it alone. Even if you don’t have a partner or family to help you, there are resources in your community and ways you can get support.
It is really important to take care of yourself so that you can take care of your baby. From simple reminders to take a bubble bath now and then to helping you seek out professional help for postpartum depression, Aimee’s Babies Word Gap App has some suggestions to help.
Tap the Managing Stress tab to find links to community resources, tips for asking for help from friends and family, and some deep breathing techniques to minimize stress and help with relaxation.
What is the Word Gap?
According to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the “Word Gap” is the difference between the number of words children from low-income families are exposed to as compared to children from high-income families. By age three, children from low-income families hear 30 million fewer words than their more affluent peers. This gap can have serious consequences for our children, affecting how they develop language, perform in school and learn new information throughout their lifetime.
It is so serious that President Barack Obama made this issue one of his top priorities and has called on a number of agencies to work to bridge this word gap.
The word gap does not only affect low-income families. Everyone needs to be aware of the word gap! Some parents are just not talkative, or do not realize that babies are listening and learning even though they can’t talk. Many babies spend their early formative years in daycares or with grandparents who may not talk and interact with the babies for a number of reasons.
The good news is that we can all work together to spread the word, interact with babies and help babies everywhere get the best start possible! Download Aimee’s Babies Word Gap App today and start talking with your baby!