experiences at home set the stage for success in learning. While more than half of children aged 3 to nearly 5 in most countries are engaged by an adult in learning activities at home, less than half have access to three or more books at home.144 learning outcomes are also tied to the multiple kinds of advantages and disadvantages that children face. evidence shows that poverty often leaves children with deficits in learning outcomes (see Figure 2.6). Starting early in life, even before reaching age 5, children from poor households are more likely than their more affluent peers to present developmental delays in literacy and 145 numeracy. in india, being born into the poorest households carries a learning ‘penalty’ relative to children from the richest households. The penalty widens between ages 7 and 11, reaching a 19 per cent gap in students’ ability to 146 subtract. When children face wealth-related disadvantages and have parents who did not attend school, there are powerful multiplier effects – especially for young girls. By age 11 in india, girls and boys who come from the richest homes and have educated parents enjoy a huge academic advantage over other children. The most advantaged boys and girls are about six times more likely to learn basic reading and mathematics skills than girls from the poorest households whose parents were not educated.147 FIGURE 2.6 Wealth-based gaps in basic math skills start early and persist over time Percentage of children able to subtract, by age, 2012 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% Ages 7–8: Wealthiest 30% Poorest 20% Ages 10–11: 10% Wealthiest 0 Poorest india Pakistan Kenya Note: While indian and Kenyan children should have completed Grade 2 by age 8, Pakistani children should have completed Grade 3 by age 8. Source: aSer india, aSer Pakistan and Uwezo Kenya survey data from 2012, in rose, Pauline, and Benjamin alcott, How can education systems become equitable by 2030?: DFID think pieces – Learning and equity, United Kingdom department for international development, london, august 2015. The STaTe of The World’S Children 2016 49