“Simply in words heard, the average child on welfare was having half as much experience per hour (616 words per hour) as the average working-class child (1,251 words per hour) and less than one-third that of the average child in a professional family (2,153 words per hour)” (Hart & Risley 2003, 8). This is important because vocabulary development during the preschool years is related to later reading skills and school success in general.”  There is a brief overview of this research that can be found on youtube. Words on Wheels is rolling!  The long and complicated process to start a non-profit organization whose focus is on the youngest of our at-risk citizens is finally coming to fruition.  The founder, Beth Ragsdale began with a concept, then carefully built a Board of Directors who were invested in “doing it right”.