Study: Latino Children Make Up For Academic Shortcomings With Strong Social Skills

Mexican-American preschoolers start school way behind their white counterparts. Their poor language and pre-literacy skills put them at a huge disadvantage academically. But new research is showing that their social skills are fully developed and robust by the time they start school and are indistinguishable from their white peers. Experts believe the new findings have promising implications.

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Mexican American toddlers lag in preliteracy skills, but not in their social skills, new study shows

The research team of  UC pediatricians and child development specialists, including Bruce Fuller,  found that Mexican American toddlers and preschoolers lag in preliteracy skills but not social skills.  For more information, click here. (In Spanish: click here.)

For Young Latino Readers, an Image Is Missing

"Young Lation children are several months behind in early 

language and preliteracy skills before entering kindergarten, relative to White peers, a new study details.  But the social skills and emotional maturity of Mexican-American children by 4 years of age is on part with White children, despite almost two-fifths growing up in poor families.  The paper will be published in December in the "Materinal and Child Health Jorunal,"  coauthored by Institute members and collaborating pediatricians at the UCLA medical school."

To read the full article in The New York Times, click here.

Early Growth of Mexican–American Children: Lagging in Preliteracy Skills but not Social Development

Kids don't have to wear lab coats to act like scientists

Alison Gopnik's work is featured in an article published in the San Francisco Chronicle entitled "Preschoolers at play show science skills."  

To read more, click here.

Scientific Inquiry Among the Preschool Set

Prof. Alison Gopnik's research with preschool aged children has found that children behave like scientists by forming hypotheses, experimenting, and deciphering causal relationships.  Read more here.

Can babies read?

Anne Cunningham's research addresses the importance of early literacy  to "unlock an upward spiral of skills, achievement, positive attitudes, and willing practice."  Her work is addressed in the following Salon.com article:
Can babies read?

Mexican Moms Are More Nurturing Than White Ones, Study Finds

Bruce Fuller's research over a three-year period with Mexican-born, Chinese-born, and white native-born mothers found that Mexican-origin mothers were found to provide "warm and nurturing home settings," fewer arguments with spouses, and stronger mental health.

For more information, see:  Mexican Moms Are More Nurturing Than White Ones, Study Finds