---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Often low-income parents give their…"
description: "\"Often low-income parents give their children every other thing they need for successful participation in school and the world of work except the planni..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/228/james-p-comer-60927_able_often-low-income-parents-give-their-chil_3007653.jpg"
---

#  Often low-income parents give their children every other…

![“Often low-income parents give their children every other thing they need for successful participation in school and the world of work except the planning and organizing skills and habit patterns needed to operate in complex settings. Many intelligent and able college students from low-income…” quote by James P. Comer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/228/james-p-comer-60927_able_often-low-income-parents-give-their-chil_3007653.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/228/james-p-comer-60927_able_often-low-income-parents-give-their-chil_3007653.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/228/james-p-comer-60927_able_often-low-income-parents-give-their-chil_3007653.jpg)

> “Often low-income parents give their children every other thing they need for successful participation in school and the world of work except the planning and organizing skills and habit patterns needed to operate in complex settings. Many intelligent and able college students from low-income backgrounds confront these deficits when faced with a heavy assignment load. . . . These patterns are best acquired at an early age and need to be quite well developed by late elementary school or twelve or thirteen years of age.”

[James P. Comer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-p-comer/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Low‑income families often provide material support but lack teaching of planning and habit skills, leaving students unprepared for complex tasks later.

**In simple terms:** Kids get things but miss learning organization.

Key Takeaway

Teach planning early.

Themes

education inequality skill development

Mood

concerned hopeful

Type

advisory educational

When to use this quote

- elementary school
- college coursework
- workplace onboarding

Key Concepts

executive function habit formation social mobility

Questions to Reflect On

- How can schools embed planning skills in curricula?
- What community resources can fill this gap?

A Different Perspective

Children may still struggle without ongoing support.

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