Closing the Opportunity Gap: Bridging the Word Gap Research Network Video Series
This video series is designed specifically for researchers dedicated to advancing interventions for promoting early language learning. Shifting from the “Word Gap” to the “Opportunity Gap in early language learning experiences, the new BWG video series addresses the opportunity gap by offering research-based strategies to improve early language and literacy outcomes. The video series emphasizes approaches for embedding equity into intervention design, ensuring that every child has access to meaningful language-learning opportunities.
Each video features researchers from the Bridging the Word Gap network, who share insights into developing and testing language-learning interventions. These episodes delve into practical frameworks for engaging families, educators, and communities to create equitable, effective early language experiences.
Key themes include building on family strengths, co-creating interventions with communities, and ensuring cultural relevance, accessibility, and transparency in research. Researchers will also find guidance on coalition-building, promoting diversity within research teams, and supporting emerging scholars in the field. Viewers are encouraged to provide comments and suggest other principles to guide research with a greater focus on equity in future language-promoting intervention work.
Joshuaa Allison-Burbank on Integrating Navajo Traditions into Early Language Development
Joshuaa Allison-Burbank shares how he and his team have developed and implemented the “Language is Medicine” intervention, an adaptation of the “Talk with Me Baby” language promotion strategies tailored for the Navajo community. Dr. Allison-Burbank emphasizes the importance of creating language promotion interventions that are both evidence-based and culturally responsive, leveraging the strengths and traditions of the families and communities they serve.
Dr. Susan Neuman: Transforming Everyday Spaces for Early Language Learning
Susan Neuman discusses her innovative approach to promoting children’s language and early literacy by transforming everyday places like laundromats into learning environments. By identifying locations where families naturally spend time, Susan has designed interventions that build on family strengths and leverage the cultural and linguistic diversity of the community.
Ashley Darcy Mahoney on Co-Creating a Bilingual App for Early Language Development
Ashley Darcy Mahoney shares the journey of developing Háblame Bebé, a bilingual parent coaching app designed to support Spanish-speaking families in fostering language learning in their babies. Initially focused on promoting language skills, the intervention evolved to emphasize the importance of using the home language, empowering parents to embrace their cultural and linguistic strengths.
Kathy Bigelow on Developing Effective and Accessible Language Interventions
Kathy Bigelow discusses the creation and implementation of PC TALK, co-developed with Dale Walker. Bigelow focuses on the importance of making language promotion interventions easy to use and fit seamlessly into daily routines, ensuring they are effective and accessible for parents, caregivers, and teachers.
Howard Goldstein on Simplifying Vocabulary Interventions for Preschool Classrooms
Howard Goldstein and his team tackle one of the biggest challenges in preschool education: preparing all children for kindergarten despite the daunting practical realities of the preschool classroom. Discover how they developed “Story Friends,” a vocabulary learning intervention that uses interactive audio books to enhance children’s vocabulary in a simple and effective way.
Jennifer Stapel-Wax & Susan Brasher on Aligning Language Interventions with Family Needs
Jennifer Stapel-Wax and Susan Brasher share their experiences and strategies from the “Talk with Me Baby Connect” program. They delve into the complexities of developing language-promoting strategies for parents and caregivers, considering the real-life challenges families face daily.
Dr. Charles Greenwood on Building Multi-Sector Partnerships for Early Language Development
Dr. Charles Greenwood discusses the “KC Brain Builders” project, a multi-sector initiative focused on promoting early language development in Kansas City, Kansas. Dr. Greenwood explains the challenges and rewards of creating a community-wide intervention that brings together various sectors to spread the importance of language nutrition to parents and caregivers.