Articles tagged with Language Development
A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics suggests that excessive screen time may hinder children's language development. The research found a correlation between increased screen time and delays in vocabulary acquisition and communication skills.
A recent study by Doshisha University found that a supportive classroom environment boosts students' willingness to communicate in English, promoting language learning and motivation. The study applied self-determination theory principles to analyze the factors influencing Japanese university students' communication willingness, highli...
A new study from Florida Atlantic University finds that unsupervised screen time during early childhood increases the likelihood of socioemotional difficulties. Preschool- and kindergarten-aged children who spent at least 10-30 minutes alone with devices daily were more likely to experience adjustment problems.
Researchers evaluated alignment between large language model responses and human therapist responses in motivational interviewing. The study found that LLMs can generate responses consistent with motivational interviewing principles, but with limitations in coherence and stylistic alignment.
Cognitive neuroscientists are integrating genetics and AI to study language development and disorders. AI-based models can predict language development in children, while genetics research links rhythm disorders and dyslexia. The brain's wiring connecting language regions also reveals that language is a system, not a single 'thing'.
A University of Houston researcher disputes a study claiming multilingualism promotes healthy brain aging, finding that wealth and healthcare systems may drive longevity instead. Hernandez argues that individual behavioral solutions, such as learning a language, are oversold and distract from structural factors that support healthy aging.
Researchers have found that babies can detect verb inconsistencies as early as 10 months old, using brain imaging technology. This finding suggests that infants begin to develop an understanding of verbs before they even say their first words.
A study by Doshisha University researchers found that early-career TESOL teachers' learning experiences in primary and secondary school significantly influenced their commitment to teaching. The study also highlights the importance of supportive networks and opportunities for reflection in promoting professional development.
A study by Concordia University found that language mixing in bilingual and multilingual homes does not harm a child's ability to learn words. In fact, parents who mix languages more often tend to use it as an intentional strategy to encourage language development.
Research finds infants with sensorineural hearing loss lack normal left-hemisphere language specialization. Early auditory stimulation and language exposure can help preserve brain development.
Researchers used a tool to measure pre-speech communication skills in infants with neurogenetic syndromes, including Down, Angelman, and Fragile X. The study found developmental differences among the groups, which may offer clues to better understanding and treatment of these conditions.
Two Hebrew University researchers, Dr. Anat Arzi and Dr. Ariel Goldstein, have received prestigious ERC Starting Grants for their innovative research on the dynamics of brain activity and neural basis of language generation. Their work aims to advance our understanding of transitions between unconscious and conscious states and the fou...
New research suggests that rapid brain growth in marmoset infants, similar to human babies, enables them to learn language through feedback from caregivers. This learning strategy makes humans an oddity within the animal kingdom.
Researchers discovered that languages from different continents and populations become more similar after contact, with rates of borrowing ranging from 4-9%. The team found that linguistic features are not consistently transferable, challenging long-held assumptions about language learning.
Researcher Katie Hoemann proposes a framework for studying language and emotion, dividing it into three aspects: attention, construal, and appraisal. This framework suggests a more productive understanding of the relationship between language and emotion is possible.
A cohort study found maternal hypertension and preeclampsia independently associated with cognitive and language development delays in preterm infants. Recognizing hypertensive disorders of pregnancy is crucial for targeted risk management strategies.
A new study found that Norwegian boys are outperforming girls in learning English as a second language, with the gap increasing at age 13. The researchers suggest that online gaming and digital technology may be contributing factors, contradicting conventional wisdom about gender differences in language acquisition.
A new study found that speech sounds have texture and shape to them, with R sounds associated with roughness and L sounds with smoothness. The research showed strong tendencies for matching trilled R sounds with jagged lines and L sounds with straight lines across cultures.
A study by Dr. Pumpki Lei Su and colleagues analyzed over 300 children's home recordings to find that infants form patterns in their sound clusters, producing three categories of sounds. The researchers found significant clustering patterns in typically developing children and those later diagnosed with autism, suggesting a more sponta...
A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics found a strong negative association between screen time and parent-child talk among children aged 12-36 months. Children exposed to more screen time had fewer adult words, vocalizations, and back-and-forth interactions with parents.
Researchers found that phonetic encoding in babies emerged gradually over the first year of life, beginning with labial sounds and nasal sounds. Parents should speak to their babies using sing-song speech as soon as possible to help them learn language.
A study from MIT found that Tsimane' speakers who learned Spanish as a second language began to use separate words for blue and green, which are not typically used in their native language. The researchers also found that the bilingual group became more precise in describing colors such as yellow and red.
A study by University of Toronto researchers found that child language development and language evolution share a common cognitive foundation, based on a core knowledge base. The team built a computational model that predicts word meaning extension patterns across languages and time scales, highlighting the role of visual, associative,...
British and American English speakers use the word “right” in distinct ways. In everyday conversations, Brits use “right” to signal that what they hear is informative and relevant. This linguistic difference might contribute to the stereotype that British people are smarter due to their sophisticated accent.
A study by Princeton University researchers found that children are more likely to know an emotion label when they also know many related valenced words. Parents can support young children's learning of emotion labels by surrounding them with related words, such as
A recent study by researchers at Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine found that daily reading improved language development in infants 12 months and younger. Infants who received consistent daily reading started showing improvements in language scores as early as nine months of age.
New research from Osaka University suggests that spending more time outdoors can reduce the negative effects of screen time on daily living skills in young children. By increasing outdoor playtime, parents may be able to mitigate some of the risks associated with excessive screen time and promote healthier development.
A study published in Early Education and Development journal found that preschoolers with stronger vocabulary skills at the start of the year display more positive engagement with teachers and peers. The researchers also discovered that inhibitory control is crucial for classroom engagement and learning.
A new study by University of Cambridge researchers found that parents' beliefs about languages have a stronger impact on their children's attitudes than teachers or friends. This implies that efforts to reverse the national decline in language-learning should also target families, alongside schools.
A study by Tokyo University of Science researchers used WCNs with increasing n values to find features of language that cannot be analyzed using existing WCNs. They found important features in networks with more than three co-occurrences, independent of text data.
Researchers used AI to analyze videos of over 2,500 ASL signs and found that challenging signs are made closer to the signer's face, making them easier for perceivers to recognize. This suggests that ASL has evolved to be more recognizable, improving communication.
Research finds that read-to-infants activities boost vocabulary growth during lockdown, while screen time is linked to fewer words; children learn more words than expected despite increased screen time.
A new UCSF study found that the neural connections of newborns with two different kinds of brain injuries were linked to significantly different developmental outcomes years later. CHD newborns had worse language function at 12-18 months and worse cognitive, language, and motor function at 30 months compared to HIE infants.
Research from the University of Florida found that baby talk can stimulate motor production of speech in infants. By mimicking infant vocal tracts, babies learn how words should sound coming out of their mouths. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about the role of baby talk in language development.
A new study from Pusan National University suggests that phonological awareness (PA) and phonics instruction can significantly improve the reading skills of English language learners. The meta-analysis of 46 studies found a moderate effect of PA and phonics on word reading, but a larger impact on pseudo-word reading.
Researchers from UC Davis MIND Institute develop a home-based language testing method using telehealth, allowing Spanish-speaking parents to assess their children's language abilities. The study found the parent-led test to be feasible, reliable, and effective in both English and Spanish-speaking groups.