The Poverty Problem: How Education Can Promote Resilience and Counter Poverty's Impact on Brain Development and Functioning

by Horacio Sanchez

Improve outcomes for students in poverty by understanding their developing brains Economic hardship is changing our students’ brain structures at a genetic level, producing psychological, behavioral, and cognitive issues that dramatically impact learning, behavior, physical health, and emotional stability. But there is hope. This groundbreaking book by one of the nation’s top experts in brain science and resilience offers solutions that will change minds, attitudes, and behaviors. Learn about how problems develop between people of different races, how the brain develops in persistent poverty, and how it might react to solutions. Inside, you will find real-life applications on topics   ?       The lack of culturally competent instruction and its impact on students of color ?       Poverty′s effect on language development and how it can be positively influenced ?       The importance of reading How to counteract the effects of the widespread stress in lower SES environments

280 pages, Paperback

Published January 27, 2021

Reviews

[Dr Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many school-based staff have faced the challenge of redressing the impact of poverty and disadvantage on our students' lives, and life prospects, and we do our best. Staff become teachers because of the moral drive to do good for some of the less fortunate children who pass through our lives, and we pay students' excursions, supply books and shoes. But, what we do provides temporary solutions to ongoing issues. Today, I picked up Horacio Sanchez's book, "The Poverty Problem", and it reprioritised my thinking on what we should be doing, as a school.
In the 1990s we were all appalled at the first views of the Romanian orphanages after the death of Nicolae Ceaușescu. American psychologists received a first-hand view of what institutionalized deprivation looked like. Sanchez makes the point that poverty has a similar (but not as severe) effect on brain development, and that is something we can do something about. What I love is that Sanchez makes the point: "Reading is the only academic protective factor identified in resiliency research." However, there is a real joy in successful learning and that is the challenge for all teachers.
From an education and social justice stand-point, Horacio Sanchez's book is a must read, and a must act direction for all staff who deal with disadvantaged and poverty stricken students. Definitely a 6/5!

[Brenda Yoho · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Poverty Problem seeks to educate readers on the brain's ability to impact. The neuroscience of poverty provides guidance to solutions needed to transform how education, society, and those in generational poverty begin to solve the issues.
I always told my students, you read something three times. “Why,” they would say. The first time, you are getting familiar with new words, concepts, and general ideas. The second time you read for understanding, looking at the things you highlighted, making sure you did not miss anything you want to include in your thoughts. The third time is just for enjoyment. The author puts a lot of work into the book they write and we want to appreciate the work they have done.
A job well done Horacio Sanchez as I continue to highlight, read again and share with others. There is work to be done and it is time to do it. Thank you for being part of the solution daily www.bethesolutiondaily.com Solutions are what we need, but action gets the job done.