Leveraging Health Technology to Support Early Bilingual Development: Insights From Neonatal Clinicians.
Ashley Darcy Mahoney1, Annalyn Velasquez, Natalie Brito
1Author Affiliations: George Washington University School of Nursing, Washington DC, USA (Dr Mahoney, Ms Velasquez); Psychology Department, Columbia University, New York, NY, (Dr Brito); and Department of Modern Languages, Florida International University, Miami, FL, (Dr Baralt).
Summary
Neonatal clinicians see the Háblame Bebé app as a valuable tool to support early language development and promote health equity in Hispanic families, despite time constraints. The app offers culturally relevant guidance to address linguistic disparities from infancy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Linguistics
Background:
- Early childhood language development is crucial for academic success and social equity.
- The first three years are critical for language acquisition due to rapid brain development.
- Linguistic disparities in early childhood can lead to long-term academic and health challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To gather neonatal clinicians' perspectives on early language development in Hispanic children.
- To inform strategies for language-focused guidance in clinical settings.
- To refine the Háblame Bebé app's curriculum based on clinician feedback.
Main Methods:
- Focus groups were conducted with neonatal clinicians in Miami-Dade County.
- Clinicians shared insights on developmental milestones and bilingual language acquisition.
- Thematic analysis was used to analyze transcribed focus group sessions.
Main Results:
- Clinicians reported time and resource limitations for language education in high-acuity settings.
- Háblame Bebé was recognized as a valuable resource for culturally relevant guidance.
- The app was seen to enhance communication with families and support bilingual development.
Conclusions:
- Early child language development is integral to overall health.
- Integrating language-focused guidance into neonatal care can improve family support and health equity.
- Háblame Bebé serves as a culturally grounded tool to combat linguistic disparities and foster equitable outcomes.
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