Session 4: The Power of Words

During their seminal research, Hart & Risley not only documented the number of words parents from upper-income families and lower-income families spoke to their children per hour, but they also recorded the number of positive words spoken to their children per hour from each of these socio-economic groups The discrepancy they found between the two groups was revelatory in the circles of early child- development and illuminated the impact that positive affirmations have on children. This workshop breaks down the number of affirmations Hart & Risley documented and demonstrates how the power of words impacts a child’s development and draws a distinct line to academic outcomes.