Todd R. Risley

Todd R. Risley was an American psychologist and educator known for his work in child development and language acquisition. Alongside his research partner, he conducted influential studies on the ways children learn language in their early years. One of his significant contributions is the idea that the quantity and quality of verbal interaction between children and their caregivers can profoundly affect language development. Risley's work highlighted the importance of rich language input during critical developmental stages, emphasizing how early experiences shape future academic and social success. His findings have implications for education, parenting, and early intervention programs.