Hart and Risley (1995) Report

The Hart and Risley (1995) report, titled "Meaningful Differences in the Everyday Experience of Young American Children," studied how children's language development differs based on their environment. The researchers observed families from various socioeconomic backgrounds and found that children in higher-income households heard significantly more words and received more verbal engagement than those in lower-income households. This disparity affected their vocabulary, cognitive skills, and later academic success. The report highlights the crucial role of early interactions in shaping children's language development and emphasizes the importance of fostering rich communication opportunities for all children, regardless of background.