Socioeconomic status (SES) significantly influences brain development, particularly in systems related to language and executive function. Research in humans and animals shows that prenatal factors, parent-child interactions, and cognitive stimulation in the home environment affect neural development. These findings highlight how environmental factors can lead to individual differences in brain development and inform policies to reduce SES-related disparities in mental health and academic achievement. SES affects cognitive and emotional development throughout the lifespan, with lower SES associated with poorer health, psychological well-being, and cognitive and emotional development. Neuroscientific research has identified mechanisms through which SES influences brain structure and function, including prenatal stress, parental care, and cognitive stimulation. These effects can be reversed, suggesting the potential for targeted interventions. SES-related differences in neurocognitive systems, such as language and executive function, are evident, with lower SES linked to impaired cognitive and emotional development. Environmental factors like stress, nutrition, and cognitive stimulation mediate these effects. Animal studies show that prenatal stress and poor maternal care can impair brain development, while enriched environments promote neural growth. Cognitive stimulation in the home environment is crucial for cognitive development, and interventions that enhance cognitive stimulation can mitigate the effects of low SES. The integration of social and neural approaches to SES has important policy implications, emphasizing the need for interventions targeting brain development, parental care, and environmental enrichment. Neuroscience research provides a framework for understanding SES-related disparities and developing effective interventions to improve outcomes for children from low SES backgrounds.Socioeconomic status (SES) significantly influences brain development, particularly in systems related to language and executive function. Research in humans and animals shows that prenatal factors, parent-child interactions, and cognitive stimulation in the home environment affect neural development. These findings highlight how environmental factors can lead to individual differences in brain development and inform policies to reduce SES-related disparities in mental health and academic achievement. SES affects cognitive and emotional development throughout the lifespan, with lower SES associated with poorer health, psychological well-being, and cognitive and emotional development. Neuroscientific research has identified mechanisms through which SES influences brain structure and function, including prenatal stress, parental care, and cognitive stimulation. These effects can be reversed, suggesting the potential for targeted interventions. SES-related differences in neurocognitive systems, such as language and executive function, are evident, with lower SES linked to impaired cognitive and emotional development. Environmental factors like stress, nutrition, and cognitive stimulation mediate these effects. Animal studies show that prenatal stress and poor maternal care can impair brain development, while enriched environments promote neural growth. Cognitive stimulation in the home environment is crucial for cognitive development, and interventions that enhance cognitive stimulation can mitigate the effects of low SES. The integration of social and neural approaches to SES has important policy implications, emphasizing the need for interventions targeting brain development, parental care, and environmental enrichment. Neuroscience research provides a framework for understanding SES-related disparities and developing effective interventions to improve outcomes for children from low SES backgrounds.