Child Dev July 2019 PMID 29707767

Reexamining the Verbal Environments of Children From Different Socioeconomic Backgrounds.

Douglas E Sperry, Linda L Sperry, Peggy J Miller

Mentions

108
Peak: 4 in Sep 2021
across 7 sources since May 2018

Extended reach

6,709,205
potential audience

Total likes

49

Video views

167

Mentions per month

May 2018 – Aug 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News68 articles
  • X / Twitter22 posts
  • Facebook6 posts
  • Blogs6 articles
  • Reddit3 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The group discusses the recent research by Sperry et al., highlighting that there is wide variation within socioeconomic groups and no conclusive word gap, which contrasts with the earlier 30 million words claim validated by older studies. Phrases like 'reexamining' and mentions of 'critique' and 'replication' reflect curiosity and a desire to understand the research deeper, indicating moderate interest and engagement. The tone is analytical and somewhat skeptical of previous claims, underscoring the potential for this research to influence future conversations and policies around childhood language environments.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions recognize that recent research questions the original 30 million word gap, indicating moderate agreement.

InterestModerate interest

People show curiosity about the nuances of language exposure and the validity of past studies, reflected in their engagement with multiple sources.

EngagementModerate engagement

Discussions include referencing specific studies, critique of old assumptions, and debates over methodology, demonstrating active engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The debates about reexamining established ideas suggest a significant potential impact on policies and future research directions.

Abstract in brief

  • The study challenges the widely cited claim that poor children hear 30 million fewer words than middle-class children in early childhood, by analyzing language exposure in five American communities across socioeconomic groups.
  • Using ethnographic fieldwork and longitudinal home observations of 42 children aged 18-48 months, the findings show significant variation within each socioeconomic group and do not support the idea of a stark word gap.
  • The results suggest that previous definitions of verbal environments that overlook conversations involving multiple caregivers and bystanders may underestimate the actual number of words low-income children hear, indicating the need for a broader view of children's language experiences.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Sarah Spencer
@SSpencerSALT · X

@APinchofSaLTs @amypicknellslt @EmiliaSpeechTx I think you'll LOVE this paper Sperry, D. E., Sperry, L. L., & Miller, P. J. (2019). Reexamining the verbal environments of children from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Child development, 90(4), 1303-1318

Mar 8, 2021 · 29 likes · 3 shares · 2,375 followers View post →
Sarah Spencer
@SSpencerSALT · X

@DamsonEd @ian_cushing This is a good one too: Sperry, D. E., Sperry, L. L., & Miller, P. J. (2019). Reexamining the verbal environments of children from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Child development, 90(4), 1303-1318.

Sep 10, 2021 · 10 likes · 4 shares · 2,375 followers View post →
Equitable Education
@EquitableEd · X

@DiLeed @cbokhove @Sue_Cowley Also this https://t.co/f2vaBs6cCA

Apr 23, 2020 · 3 likes · 11,451 followers View post →
Tarik Endale | ታሪክ እንዳለ
@Tarik_Endale · X

The #WordGap study (Hart and Risley, 1995) that says that poor kids hear 30 million less words and do worse because of it that Biden is citing to encourage y’all to play record players for your kids at night is shit science, fyi https://t.co/BCpImneGVP https://t.co/TlVBLVTTRP

Sep 12, 2019 · 2 likes · 1 share · 4,987 followers View post →
Kathy Putnam
@kputtwolfess · X

@supervidoqo @ninaturner So these researchers are wrong?https://t.co/6w5i1jMBFT

Jan 18, 2020 · 1 like · 1,358 followers View post →
Dr Sally Larsen
@SallyLars_27 · X

@MichaelKaissis @Scott_teach @msrebeccabirch @cignae Sure: I've just had a look and there are several papers. First this one: Reexamining the Verbal Environments of Children From Different Socioeconomic Backgrounds https://t.co/bLuhCRbhnc

Jun 24, 2023 · 1 like · 1,236 followers View post →

All mentions

Grok
@grok · X

@PeterDMayr @varisco89 @cdenisegayle @LASimmonsTX146 Key critiques of Hart & Risley's 30M word gap: - Sperry et al. (2019), "Reexamining the Verbal Environments of Children From Different Socioeconomic Backgrounds" (Child Development): Found wide variation; no consistent SES-based gap, with some low-income kids hearing more words.

Aug 17, 2025 · 6,630,197 followers View post →
Dr Sally Larsen
@SallyLars_27 · X

@MichaelKaissis @Scott_teach @msrebeccabirch @cignae Sure: I've just had a look and there are several papers. First this one: Reexamining the Verbal Environments of Children From Different Socioeconomic Backgrounds https://t.co/bLuhCRbhnc

Jun 24, 2023 · 1 like · 1,236 followers View post →
Elisa Warmth
@ElisaWarmuth · X

6. source: https://t.co/6Nq8HZlYTk

Apr 22, 2023 · 60 followers View post →
NU Child Development
@nudev405 · X

Sperry, D., Sperry, L., & Miller P. (2018). Reexamining the Verbal Environments of Children from Different Socioeconomic Backgrounds. Child Development 90(4), 1303-1318. https://t.co/TEdf8WlahE.

Jul 13, 2022 View post →
Michele Koven
@mkoven · X

@WFarahslt https://t.co/hbU3C5w42U

Feb 18, 2022 · 1 like · 296 followers View post →
Mathew Tobin
@Mat_at_Brookes · X

RT @SSpencerSALT: @DamsonEd @ian_cushing This is a good one too: Sperry, D. E., Sperry, L. L., & Miller, P. J. (2019). Reexamining the verb…

Sep 12, 2021 · 4 shares · 17,558 followers View post →
GingaGill
@GingaGill · X

RT @SSpencerSALT: @DamsonEd @ian_cushing This is a good one too: Sperry, D. E., Sperry, L. L., & Miller, P. J. (2019). Reexamining the verb…

Sep 10, 2021 · 4 shares · 2,092 followers View post →
Ian Cushing
@ian_cushing · X

RT @SSpencerSALT: @DamsonEd @ian_cushing This is a good one too: Sperry, D. E., Sperry, L. L., & Miller, P. J. (2019). Reexamining the verb…

Sep 10, 2021 · 4 shares · 11,168 followers View post →
Sarah Spencer
@SSpencerSALT · X

@DamsonEd @ian_cushing This is a good one too: Sperry, D. E., Sperry, L. L., & Miller, P. J. (2019). Reexamining the verbal environments of children from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Child development, 90(4), 1303-1318.

Sep 10, 2021 · 10 likes · 4 shares · 2,375 followers View post →
Peter Hoffenaar
@PeterHoffenaar · X

@cbokhove @DiLeed https://t.co/IwUz9Xx6X3

May 19, 2021 · 1 like · 122 followers View post →
S. Arotce Quintas.
@SArotceQuintas · X

Reexamining the Verbal Environments of Children From Different Socioeconomic Backgrounds https://t.co/zq4QwpjYGD

Apr 20, 2021 · 110 followers View post →
Dr. Kristen Izaryk
@KIzaryk · X

RT @SSpencerSALT: @APinchofSaLTs @amypicknellslt @EmiliaSpeechTx I think you'll LOVE this paper Sperry, D. E., Sperry, L. L., & Miller, P.…

Mar 9, 2021 · 3 shares · 12 followers View post →
Ilyeh Nahdi
@IlyehNahdiSLT · X

RT @SSpencerSALT: @APinchofSaLTs @amypicknellslt @EmiliaSpeechTx I think you'll LOVE this paper Sperry, D. E., Sperry, L. L., & Miller, P.…

Mar 9, 2021 · 3 shares · 1,900 followers View post →
Sarah Spencer
@SSpencerSALT · X

@APinchofSaLTs @amypicknellslt @EmiliaSpeechTx I think you'll LOVE this paper Sperry, D. E., Sperry, L. L., & Miller, P. J. (2019). Reexamining the verbal environments of children from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Child development, 90(4), 1303-1318

Mar 8, 2021 · 29 likes · 3 shares · 2,375 followers View post →
Equitable Education
@EquitableEd · X

@DiLeed @cbokhove @Sue_Cowley Also this https://t.co/f2vaBs6cCA

Apr 23, 2020 · 3 likes · 11,451 followers View post →
Kathy Putnam
@kputtwolfess · X

@supervidoqo @ninaturner So these researchers are wrong?https://t.co/6w5i1jMBFT

Jan 18, 2020 · 1 like · 1,358 followers View post →
Luqman Nation Media
@luqmannation1 · X

@feefer2 @WillyCsAlgebra @First5CA https://t.co/cvMBxyy58Q

Sep 13, 2019 · 6,499 followers View post →
Tarik Endale | ታሪክ እንዳለ
@Tarik_Endale · X

RT @the_etheropian: The #WordGap study (Hart and Risley, 1995) that says that poor kids hear 30 million less words and do worse because of…

Sep 13, 2019 · 1 share · 4,987 followers View post →
Tarik Endale | ታሪክ እንዳለ
@Tarik_Endale · X

The #WordGap study (Hart and Risley, 1995) that says that poor kids hear 30 million less words and do worse because of it that Biden is citing to encourage y’all to play record players for your kids at night is shit science, fyi https://t.co/BCpImneGVP https://t.co/TlVBLVTTRP

Sep 12, 2019 · 2 likes · 1 share · 4,987 followers View post →
Sharon Vince
@SharonMarie80 · X

@etaknipsa Ah! This is the one where the researchers tried to replicate it https://t.co/HqRFaJexUD

Jun 25, 2019 · 1 like · 1,096 followers View post →
James Igoe
@JamesJosephIgoe · X

Reexamining the Verbal Environments of Children From Different Socioeconomic Backgrounds - Sperry - - Child… https://t.co/tjkcS3G6rn

May 23, 2019 · 410 followers View post →
RiShawn Biddle
@dropoutnation · X

@PaulMorganPhD @IanVRowe @MattBruenig @MonaDavids @nsvf @dmmcgriff @Edwonkmom @charteralliance This is a point that Sperry and others raised earlier this year. https://t.co/9YSjhqVoto

Jan 3, 2019 · 8,696 followers View post →
Riccardo Fusaroli
@fusaroli.bsky.social · Bluesky

The 30 million words gap put to test (possibly not real): https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/cdev.13072

May 6, 2018 View post →