Archive for Our Methods

The Word Gap leads to the Readiness Gap

By the age of three, low-income children have heard 30 million fewer words then their middle-income peers (Hart and Risley 1995).  By kindergarten the word gap increases to over 40 million and the average low-income child has experienced only 25 hours of one-on-one reading time while their middle-income…

Parent-Child interaction Is Critical to Closing the Gaps

Over the past decade, innovations in imaging used in neurobiology have validated the conceptual underpinning of the PCHP model (developed in 1965), the importance of parent-child verbal interaction (Bruner, 1964 and 1966; Vygotsky 1962; Hart & Risley 1995).  The evidence highlights that the quality of experiences and relationships…

PCHP’s Approach: Modeling not teaching

The Parent-Child Home Program utilizes a non-directive, non-didactic approach, modeling behaviors for parents that enhance children’s development rather than teaching behaviors.  Early Learning Specialists focus on building meaningful relationships with the families and support parents in realizing their role as their children’s first and most important teacher.  They…