When do caregivers talk? The influences of activity and time of day on caregiver speech and child vocalizations in two childcare environments

Melanie Soderstrom, Kelsey Wittebolle, Melanie Soderstrom, Kelsey Wittebolle

Abstract

The importance of the language environment in influencing language outcomes is well known, but few studies have addressed the contextual factors that influence the amount of speech heard and vocalizations produced by a young child under naturalistic conditions. We analyze effects of type of activity engaged in by the child and time of day on quantitative measures of the language environment. We found effects of both activity and time of day. Structured activities generated the highest levels of adult language, but not necessarily the most child vocalizations. Home and daycare environments looked overall very similar on these measures, however there were important differences across the two environments with respect to the specific effects of activity and time of day.

Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1. Time spent in activity.
Figure 1. Time spent in activity.
The percentage of time spent engaged in each activity type in the two environments.
Figure 2. Language Measures by Child.
Figure 2. Language Measures by Child.
The number of adult words (top) and child vocalizations (bottom) per 5-min block, by child. Error bars indicate standard error. N for each child is indicated at the bottom of their respective bars. C022 and C023 are the same child.
Figure 3. Language Measures by Activity.
Figure 3. Language Measures by Activity.
The number of adult words (top) and child vocalizations (bottom) per 5-min block, by activity. Error bars indicate standard error. N for each child is indicated at the bottom of their respective bars.
Figure 4. Language Measures by Time of…
Figure 4. Language Measures by Time of Day.
The number of adult words (top) and child vocalizations (bottom) per 5-min block, by time of day. Error bars indicate standard error. N for each child is indicated at the bottom of their respective bars.

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Source: PubMed

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