Growing words
How Home Language Influences Learning
Different Kids' home
This research examines how the home environment and the language children hear impact their language development. The study involved recording interactions between parents and children every month from ages 9 months to 3 years. The researchers tracked vocabulary growth and analyzed the language used by parents.
The findings indicate that a child’s language learning is shaped by their environment, not just by their individual skills. Most children start speaking around their first birthday, but some learn new words faster than others. Children exposed to a wider variety of language—such as different vocabulary, questions, and descriptive speech—tend to develop stronger vocabularies.
These results highlight the crucial role of parental language use in a child’s development. The quantity and quality of interactions both matter. The insights from this study are important for educators and policymakers. They suggest that providing children with diverse language experiences is essential for enhancing their language skills. Researchers Betty Hart and Todd Risley offer valuable insights into early childhood language development.
Reference
Lew-Williams, C., & Weisleder, A. (2017). How do little kids learn language? Frontiers for Young Minds, 5, 1-8. https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2017.00045
