Betty Hart and Todd Risley studied the usage of language and words in American homes. Their findings establish the absolute importance of children’s early experiences with language. By 48 months children in professional homes have heard on average 45 million words. In the same period of time, children in welfare homes have heard on average 13 million words. This language and vocabulary disparity has been referred to as “the 32 million word catastrophe.”
They found that the sheer number of words heard varied greatly along
socio-economic lines. On average, children from families on welfare were
provided half as much experience as children from working class
families, and less than a third of the experience given to children from
high-income families. In other words, children from families on
welfare heard about 616 words per hour, while those from working class
families heard around 1,251 words per hour, and those from professional
families heard roughly 2,153 words per hour. Thus, children from
better financial circumstances had far more language exposure to draw
from.
In addition to looking at the number of words exchanged, the researchers
also looked at what was being said within these conversations. What
they found was that higher-income families provided their children with
far more words of praise compared to children from low-income
families. 
Conversely,
Conversely,
children from low-income families were found to endure far more
instances of negative reinforcement compared to their peers from
higher-income families. Children from families with professional
backgrounds experienced a ratio of six encouragements for every
discouragement. For children from working-class families this ratio was
two encouragements to one discouragement. Finally, children from
families on welfare received on average two discouragements for every
encouragement.
In simple terms, kids start kindergarten at vastly different
language levels, thus impacting their reading success. So the question becomes ... What can we do to bridge the vocabulary gap of our students?
With something to think about this is Mrs. Morris reminding you to be ...
To read more about Hart & Risley's study go to the links below.
To read more about Hart & Risley's study go to the links below.
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