INFANT-ADULT VOCAL INTERACTION AND IMPLICATIONS ON EARLY LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT
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Date
2024
Authors
Stull, Selora
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
The process of infant language acquisition is well documented. The vocalizations produced by infants develop from simple “cooing” in the first weeks, to recognizable words by the end of the first year. While they produce many of these earlier vocalizations endogenously, rapid phonological development is facilitated by their social interaction with adult caregivers. When infants vocalize, adults are inclined to respond with infant-directed speech. Adult responses appear to be dependent upon characteristics of infant vocalizations like directedness and complexity. Subsequently, infant vocalizations appear to be dependent on the quality and quantity of feedback from their caregivers. Together, these processes form a social feedback loop between infant and adult that supports early language acquisition.
Description
Keywords
infant vocalization, social feedback loop, contingency, language acquisition, infant directed speech