In Do Fathers Matter?, [the author Paul] Raeburn, a former chief science correspondent of the Associated Press, found that “researchers expected mothers to be the most important parent in kids’ language development because mothers usually spend more time with their children, but it turned out that the opposite was true. The science shows a clear correlation between fathers and language development.I, too, would have thought that women would have a significant role to play in language development, given the time they spend with infants and how talkative they are in general.
The explanation? From the Washington Post review (since the article in The Times is subscription only):
In the arena of early childhood, Raeburn looks at research on children’s language development in middle-class and poor families. There, fathers are not only important — they are more important than moms. How so? Mothers in these families typically spend more time with the children, which allows them to use words the kids already know. Since fathers are less attuned, they use broader vocabulary, which stimulates learning. The same holds true when dads put kids in unfamiliar situations, encouraging creative problem-solving.
webpage
Macmillan
NYT
Art of Manliness: Podcast #119: Why Fathers Matter With Paul Raeburn
For Your Marriage
Dads Who Diaper interview
Do Fathers Matter? An Exchange with Paul Raeburn by Deborah Siegel
On Point with Tom Ashbrook
Breakpoint
The Brian Lehrer Show
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