Socioeconomic disparities in early language development in two Norwegian samples

Socioeconomic disparities in early language are widespread and have long-lasting effects. The aim of this study is to investigate when social gaps problems arise how they change across the first years schooling. We address question two large longitudinal Norwegian datasets: Behavior Outlook Developmental Study (BONDS) Mother, Father Child Cohort (MoBa). Despite some slight differences samples, we found that children from higher backgrounds less likely difficulties starting age 18 months up 8 (grade 2). Moreover, while strongly predictive later language, maternal education makes an additional contribution explaining at beginning school life. Social inequality development arises early, even a country like Norway, with low unemployment one most egalitarian societies Europe.