Investigating the Language Environment in Preschool Settings: Do Different Activity Settings Offer Different Language Opportunities?

• In Event: 52.084 - Roundtable Session 20
  In Roundtable Session: 52.084-10 - Vocabulary Learning and Language Environment in Early Childhood Classrooms

Abstract

Language-rich preschool settings are key to fostering language development. It is important to consider how different activity settings (e.g. free play) are being leveraged to support children’s language development in various preschool settings. This study investigates these issues by using LENA software to record the adult words heard, conversational turns, and child vocalizations of eight focal children in three home-based and five center-based preschool settings in both high- and low-income communities. Findings indicate that though children in all settings are experiencing a rich language environment during read alouds, children in home-based settings may be engaging in more robust language interactions with educators than children in center-based settings during educator-led activities, mealtimes, and transitions. Implications are discussed.

Authors

• Julie Dwyer, Boston University

• Sarah Yeates Arnold, Boston University