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The First Five Years: Quantity vs. Quality

Maryland Family Network

For more than two decades, experts have recognized the importance of early exposure to a language-rich environment.  By age three, children from low-income families hear far fewer words than their more affluent peers-- nearly 30 million fewer words. This disparity puts poorer children at a huge disadvantage when starting school. But a Temple University study suggests that exposing low- income children to more language isn’t enough to overcome this difference. The researchers report that the quality of communication among children, parents and other caregivers is of more importance that just the number of words. 

Linnea Anderson is tenured and talented broadcaster and voice over artist with deep roots in Central Maryland. For years she was co-host of the nightly, Baltimore -based and nationally syndicated Evening Magazine on WJZ-TV. On this half-hour program, Anderson interviewed the likes of George Carlin, Muhammad Ali and Jack Lemmon as well as Baltimoreans of all stripes providing insight and local flavor to her adopted hometown. Prior to that she was a news anchor, reporter and producer in multiple markets including Baltimore, Charleston, WV and Louisville, KY.