Articles tagged with Language Acquisition
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Researchers developed a portable video-based test to measure language comprehension in toddlers and children with autism. The test, known as IPL, tracks eye movements while watching videos to identify language understanding without relying on verbal responses.
A new study found that maternal depression treatment with serotonin reuptake inhibitors accelerates babies' language development, while untreated depression prolongs this period. Researchers measured changes in heart rate and eye movement to sounds and video images of native and non-native languages.
Research compares immigrant children in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US, finding they excel academically despite initial language struggles. Despite cultural differences, social institutions help immigrant children overcome early language barriers.
Infants can automatically detect and learn complex syllable dependencies in spoken language, a skill lost in adulthood. Young infants also exhibit stronger brain responses to pitch changes, suggesting a link between basic auditory skills and sophisticated rule learning abilities.
A Concordia researcher shows that a parent questionnaire can accurately forecast linguistic ability in toddlers. The study analyzed data from over 300 children and found that those with low scores on the Language Use Inventory were more likely to have language issues later in childhood.
A new study by University of British Columbia researchers found that maternal depression can affect infants' ability to attune to their native languages, while bilingual households may prolong the period of tuning. The preliminary findings provide important insights into early childhood development and mother's mental health.
Researchers found that 6- to 9-month-old babies comprehend words for common objects like foods and body parts through daily language experience. They also found little improvement in word recognition until around 14 months.
Male infants exposed to high levels of prenatal testosterone are twice as likely to experience language delays compared to females. The study found that higher levels of prenatal testosterone increased the likelihood of language development delays in males.
A longitudinal study found that young children whose mothers frequently discuss people's thoughts and feelings tend to have better perspective-taking skills. This suggests that mothers' language use can influence their children's cognitive flexibility and theory of mind development.
Researchers found that changes in one part of the skull were linked to changes throughout, challenging the idea of independent evolutionary events. The study used genealogical data and simulated shifts in skull shape associated with human evolution milestones.
Two world's smallest surviving babies, Madeline and Rumaisa, have normal motor and language development despite extremely low birth weights. Advances in neonatal care have enabled the survival of smaller newborns, but successful outcomes are not typical for all micropreemies.
A new study demonstrates that words which sound better to speakers of a language have a higher chance of being created, influencing language evolution over time. The research reveals the interconnectedness of linguistic rules and suggests that humans do not learn language in a simple, context-independent manner.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a successful language intervention program for children from immigrant and refugee backgrounds, improving comprehension skills, vocabulary, and writing. The program has been implemented with positive results and is now being expanded to other schools globally.
A new study found that preschool children with poor language skills improve more when placed in classrooms with high-achieving students. In contrast, those with low initial language skills in lower-ability classes lost ground over the year. The researchers suggest blending students from different backgrounds for better results.
A new study finds that intervening early can help young children develop language, with those placed in better care by 15 months showing language skills similar to biological parents. Early foster care intervention is also crucial for preventing severe language delays.
Researchers analyzed 301 languages across four families to find recurring patterns in sentence structure. The study reveals that sentence structure is determined by historical context rather than innate rules, contradicting long-held views on language evolution.
Research from North Carolina State University found that African-American children's language use fluctuates as they adopt and abandon vernacular English patterns. The study, tracking 88 children since 1990, reveals a cyclic pattern in the use of African-American vernacular English.
The newly discovered stone monument features a central figure with an elaborate headdress and ornate accessories, dating back to the Early Formative period. The sculpture's design suggests a connection between corn cultivation and religion, supporting the idea of an early association between the two.
Researchers found that humans' unique throwing ability is tied to the size-weight illusion, which primes children to learn throwing. This skill enabled early humans to hunt effectively and survive, contributing to their species' success.
A recent study by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health found that children in formal centre-based and family-based child care were less likely to be late talkers compared to those cared for at home. This effect was strongest between the ages of 1 to 1.5 years.
A new study by Durham University found that early years' initiatives in England, such as Sure Start, are not delivering improvements in language and numeracy development. The researchers highlight the need for a review of these initiatives and targeting assistance more effectively to reach disadvantaged children.
A pre-school language intervention programme has been shown to improve expressive language skills, including vocabulary and grammar, in children with poorly developed speech and language skills. The programme also lays the foundation for phonics and indicates improvements in letter-sound knowledge and spelling.
Developing language skills is crucial for boys to regulate their emotions and behavior, according to a Michigan State University study. Boys with strong vocabulary can exhibit dramatic improvements in self-regulation, comparable to girls with similar skills.
A new study will examine speech and language development in bilingual children to identify patterns of language use in those with and without delays. The researchers aim to develop more accurate measurements of language ability, leading to improved interventions for children with language impairment.
A study led by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that early cochlear implantation dramatically improves deaf children's language development. Children who received implants before 18 months caught up with their normal-hearing counterparts over three years.
African-American male youths are disproportionately represented in US prisons due to early-life conditions and educational system limitations. Implementing practices like parental engagement, teaching motor skills, and community mentorship can help counteract these challenges and promote a sense of acceptance and responsibility.
A study of 96 infants aged 12-24 months found no evidence that watching educational baby videos improved overall language learning. However, children who started watching DVDs at an early age scored lower on a test of vocabulary knowledge.
A new study from the University of Miami finds that maternal sensitivity is a key predictor of language development in toddlers with autism. The researchers discovered that sensitive structuring, which involves teaching and engaging children in a gentle manner, was more predictive of language growth among children developing autism tha...
Researchers simplified standard warning labels on prescription medicine bottles to improve patient comprehension. The study found that patients with low health literacy benefited from newly designed icons and concise language.
The LSU research team aims to identify clinical markers of children with Specific Language Impairment in non-traditional dialects, such as African American English and Southern White English. They hope to develop tools that can be used in Louisiana classrooms to assist speech language pathologists and educators.
A recent study published in PNAS found that the brain regions responsible for decoding spoken words also process wordless gestures. This discovery challenges traditional theories about the evolution of language and suggests that these brain regions may play a broader role in symbol interpretation.
A new UCLA study found that conversing with children is more effective in promoting language development than just reading to them. The study, which measured the effects of adult-child conversations on language development, found that back-and-forth conversation was strongly associated with future improvements in the child's language s...
Researchers have identified a crucial role of the Foxp2 gene in human language development using a mouse model. The study found that alterations in this gene are closely linked to speech and language ability, and that it plays a significant role in various organ systems.
A new longitudinal study found that preschoolers' language skills develop faster when they are with classmates who have better language abilities. The study also suggests that teachers can promote children's language development by effectively managing classroom behavior.
A new study found that iron deficiency in womb may delay auditory neural maturation in preemies, affecting sound processing and later language development. The research evaluated 80 infants over 18 months, revealing abnormal brain maturity in those with low iron levels.
Children born to mothers with pregnancy-related diabetes are twice as likely to experience language development problems. Research from Université Laval found that babies' brains develop differently due to gestational diabetes, affecting vocabulary and grammar skills even after starting school.
In a study published in PLOS ONE, capuchin monkeys were found to reason about symbols in economic choices, showing a preference for items A and C over B, both with tokens and actual foods. This suggests that these animals can comprehend and use symbols, although their symbolic competence may differ from that of humans.
New research from the LOOKING at Language project reveals that late-talking toddlers are more likely to continue struggling with language development, but a significant proportion will catch up. By seven years old, around 80% of late talkers have made progress and there is no evidence boys are at greater risk than girls.
Children whose parents read aloud to them have better language and literacy skills when they start school. This interactive style of reading has a significant impact on their development. Additionally, the Reach Out and Read programme in Boston improved language skills in low-income families by increasing parents' reading habits.
Researchers at Rutgers University have discovered that infant brains distinguish differences in sounds as early as three to six months, predicting future language problems. The study's findings may lead to correcting language difficulties before children start speaking, improving their chances of avoiding reading and comprehension issues.
A study suggests that changes in diagnostic criteria for developmental language disorders may be contributing to the increase in autism diagnoses. The research found that around a quarter of children diagnosed with language impairments as children would now meet current criteria for autistic spectrum disorder.
Studies reveal that word order affects language production, with French speakers using a different syntax than English speakers. Additionally, researchers find commonalities in naming patterns for locomotion across languages, suggesting universal rules and constraints.
Researchers develop formula to study linguistic evolution, predicting irregular verbs will regularize at a rate inversely proportional to their usage frequency. The most common irregular verbs, such as 'be' and 'think', are expected to remain irregular for thousands of years.
A pilot study found that distributing blocks to toddlers led to higher language scores, suggesting block-play may promote language development. The results imply a program that distributes blocks could be effective in promoting development.
Bilingual infants learn new words differently, following a pattern that involves paying less attention to detailed sound information. This adaptive approach may help bilinguals catch up with peers who learn one language.
Research suggests that even mild sleep restriction can alter children's initial stages of speech perception, leading to disruptions in cognitive and linguistic functioning. Children need adequate sleep to develop essential skills for reading and language comprehension.
A study of internationally adopted children sheds new light on infant language development, showing that older children follow the same stages as infants when learning a new language. This challenges traditional theories and suggests that these stages are side effects of the processes children use to learn words and grammar.
A Cornell study discovered that the sound of a word can reveal its grammatical role, affecting how it is processed in sentences. The researchers analyzed the sounds of over 3,000 nouns and verbs to show how phonological typicality influences comprehension.
A large study has found that parents are not to blame for late talking toddlers, as environmental and neuro-developmental factors play a greater role in language emergence. Children with siblings or family history of late talkers are at higher risk, while education, income, and mental health have no impact.
Researchers have developed virtual peers that can interact with children, helping them develop language and literacy skills. The virtual playmates engage in collaborative storytelling and are capable of adapting to individual children's needs.
Recent pre-K study shows significant improvements in reading, writing, and spelling abilities. Early Head Start participants exhibit enhanced family support for children's learning, social-emotional development, and health. The programs benefit disadvantaged children and Hispanic youth.
Researchers discovered a genetic duplication of 27 genes on chromosome 7, which affects language abilities. The study's findings provide insight into the cause of specific language impairment and may lead to new treatments.
A study conducted by George Hollich and colleagues found that moderate background noise can distract infants from learning language, emphasizing the need for visual cues. The research showed that when infants could see a speaker's face while hearing them speak, they focused longer on the spoken word.
The study investigates individual differences in language development among 4.5-year-old twins, finding that genetic and environmental influences shape both average and low-ability language skills. The results suggest a shared role of genetics and environment in shaping language abilities in boys and girls.
A new IU study supports the theory of a sensitive period for optimal language development during early childhood. Children who received cochlear implants earlier in life showed faster language gains and better speech perception skills compared to those who received implants later.
Linguist Valteir Martins reconstructs the sound structure and lexicon of Proto-East-Maku, an ancient language of the Brazilian Maku people. The language is genetically related to the Arawak languages, challenging earlier claims that the Maku Indians were the first inhabitants of the Amazon region.
Research by Heather Bortfeld shows that babies can discern the beginnings and endings of words that follow their names, providing a foundation for learning language. By using familiar words like their names, babies can anchor their early learning of other word forms and tap into the process at an earliest stage possible.
The Internet has led to a renaissance in informal writing, with online diaries and blogs increasing expressive range. Professor Crystal argues that concerns about language deterioration are misplaced, as new technology has increased informality in writing.
Researchers found that children of working mothers with nonstandard schedules performed worse on cognitive tests, despite controlling for environmental factors. The type of care children receive during these hours may be a key factor in this effect.
A recent study by Krakow compared infants and toddlers adopted from China, finding that the younger the child is when adopted, the sooner they are likely to become age-appropriate in English. The study highlights the importance of identifying factors leading to variation in language development among internationally adopted children.