Hart and Risley Report

The Hart and Risley Report studied how the number of words children hear and the quality of verbal interaction in their early years influence their language development and future academic success. It found that children from higher-income families tend to hear more words and engage in richer conversations than those from lower-income families. This early environment affects their vocabulary, communication skills, and readiness for school, highlighting the importance of early linguistic exposure and interaction for long-term educational outcomes.