The Hart-Risley Study

The Hart-Risley Study, conducted in the 1990s, examined how the amount and quality of language children hear from adults influence their language development. Researchers recorded interactions in families and found that children from language-rich environments heard far more words than those from less talkative households. This increased exposure to diverse and complex language was linked to better vocabulary, communication skills, and later academic success. The study emphasizes that engaging children in conversations and providing a language-rich environment play a crucial role in their cognitive and linguistic growth.