Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses
14:05

Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses

Published on: January 23, 2017

Refinement of speech breathing in healthy 4- to 6-year-old children

Carol A Boliek1, Thomas J Hixon, Peter J Watson

  • 1University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA. carol.boliek@ualberta.ca

Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research : JSLHR
|July 31, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Speech breathing control refines gradually in children aged 3-10 years, influenced by height and age, not gender. This study provides normative data for evaluating speech breathing disorders in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric speech-language pathology
  • Developmental motor control
  • Respiratory physiology

Background:

  • Neuromotor control of speech breathing is crucial for effective communication.
  • Understanding developmental trajectories is essential for identifying speech disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the developmental progression of neuromotor control in speech breathing.
  • To establish normative data for clinical assessment of pediatric speech disorders affecting respiration.

Main Methods:

  • Studied 60 healthy children aged 4, 5, and 6 years.
  • Utilized variable inductance plethysmography to measure rib cage, abdomen, and lung volumes.
  • Analyzed temporal features of the breathing cycle during speech tasks.

Main Results:

  • Speech breathing was significantly influenced by children's height and age.
  • Gender did not demonstrate a significant impact on speech breathing patterns.
  • Observed variability in some speech breathing behaviors, with others showing systematic changes.

Conclusions:

  • Speech breathing mechanisms undergo gradual refinement between approximately 3 and 10 years of age.
  • The developmental rate of speech breathing aligns with other speech production subsystems.
  • Normative data supports clinical evaluation and management of pediatric speech breathing disorders.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Employing the Forced Oscillation Technique for the Assessment of Respiratory Mechanics in Adults06:11

Employing the Forced Oscillation Technique for the Assessment of Respiratory Mechanics in Adults

Published on: February 9, 2022

Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages06:04

Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages

Published on: March 24, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Breathing01:05

Breathing

The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles01:30

Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles

A thorough assessment of respiratory health is paramount in clinical settings to identify and manage respiratory distress and ensure adequate oxygenation. This article elaborates on the critical aspects of respiratory evaluation, including airway assessment, skin color examination, and the observation of accessory muscle use, which are integral to effectively diagnosing and managing patients with respiratory conditions.
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract IV: Auscultation01:28

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract IV: Auscultation

Auscultation is a crucial component of the physical assessment of the respiratory tract. It offers valuable insights into airflow through the bronchial tree and potential lung obstructions. This process involves careful listening to breath, voice, and adventitious sounds, which can reveal a wealth of information about a patient's respiratory health.
Breath Sounds
Breath sounds are categorized into vesicular, bronchovesicular, and bronchial.
Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm01:29

Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm

Respiratory Depth
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement:
Assessment of Respiration01:23

Assessment of Respiration

The respiratory system's basic structures and primary functions lay the foundation for nurses' comprehensive respiratory assessments. This assessment includes subjective and objective data to gauge the patient's respiratory health.
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD,...
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection01:27

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection

Physical assessment of the respiratory tract through inspection is a crucial step in understanding the patient's respiratory health. It provides insights into the functioning of the respiratory system, the musculoskeletal structure, and even the patient's nutritional status. This comprehensive approach involves observing several vital aspects: chest configuration, breathing patterns, respiratory rates, skin color, and use of accessory muscles.
Chest Configuration
The chest configuration can...