Language development in children's natural environments: People, places, and things

Christine E. Potter, Casey Lew-Williams

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Our goal in this chapter is to describe young children's experiences with language by examining three domains—people, places, and things—that define and influence their language input. We highlight how features of each of these three domains could provide useful learning opportunities, as well as how differences in infants’ and toddlers’ experiences may affect their long-term language skills. However, we ultimately suggest that a full understanding of early environments must move beyond a focus on individual experiences and include the broader systems that shape young children's lives, including both tangible aspects of the environment, such as physical resources or locations, and more hidden factors, such as cultural considerations, community health, or economic constraints.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAdvances in Child Development and Behavior
EditorsJeffrey J. Lockman
PublisherAcademic Press Inc.
Pages200-235
Number of pages36
ISBN (Print)9780443294242
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2024

Publication series

NameAdvances in Child Development and Behavior
Volume67
ISSN (Print)0065-2407

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Behavioral Neuroscience

Keywords

  • Individual differences
  • Language development
  • Language environment
  • Systemic influences on children's lives

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