Hart and Risley Study
The Hart and Risley Study, conducted in the 1990s, examined the language development of children from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Researchers recorded interactions between parents and their children over a few years, discovering significant disparities in the number of words spoken to children. Children from wealthier families heard millions more words than those from lower-income families. This gap was linked to differences in vocabulary, literacy skills, and academic achievement as the children grew. The study highlights how early language exposure can greatly influence a child's development and future success, stressing the importance of nurturing communication in early childhood.
Additional Insights
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The Hart and Risley study, conducted in the 1990s, explored how the language environment at home affects children's vocabulary development. Researchers observed 42 families over three years, noting the number of words children heard and the quality of interactions. They found large disparities: children from wealthier families heard millions more words than those from lower-income families, leading to significant differences in vocabulary by age three. This study highlighted how language exposure influences cognitive development and has important implications for educational strategies, particularly in supporting children from disadvantaged backgrounds.