A sandcastle

This weekend I was on the beach reading The Book Thief. As I read, I noticed a young father with a child about the age of 3. I observed them for nearly 2 hours, and during that time they talked, built things, engaged in imaginary play. As I watched them, I reflected about the findings of Geoffrey Canada and how important it is to talk to our children. What I observed on Saturday is commonplace in our lives, but lacking in so many of our impoverish children's lives. So much of what I am reading is a reinforcement of what we know or are experiencing in school. In chapter 2, it is interesting to see how the pendulum as swung from the writings of Moynihan to the Coleman report. Although, I don't want to get involved in a political discussion- poverty and how we address it in schools is very much a political issue. Canada saids if we want poor kids to compete with their middle class classmates we need to change everything from neighborhoods to thier parents child rearing practices. That is a big task and requires a gargantuan effort on our part. Although I am enjoying this book very much, I'm hoping Canada can answer some questions- for example, Why don't impoverish people use more language with thier children.? Is it because the stress of living in poverty, in fact, impoverishes the human spirit? Chapter 3 is even more eye opening as the parents in Baby College discuss thier viewpoints on child rearing. All very eye opening.