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We use the NLSY data so as to reveal unprecedented detail on the age pattern of oral vocabulary growth. Separately for Whites and Blacks, we find that social class differences in vocabulary growth emerge at the very earliest ages, and attain a substantial magnitude by 36 months of age. These social class differences continue to widen during ages three and four, although this occurs more strongly among African-Americans than among Whites. Approximately half of these social class differences in vocabulary growth rates can be attributed to the differential family linguistic instruction provided by mothers of varying social classes. These early language instruction differences are quite consequential for later cognitive and school performance. By age five and above, vocabulary growth rates are relatively similar across social classes. This suggests that attendance in kindergarten and the higher school grades has an equalizing effect as children from a lower social strata are exposed to teacher and peer social interaction and school instruction. Implications are drawn for our understanding of the causal mechanisms underlying social reproduction and interventions and policies to reduce it.