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Sensorimotor development and the use of prelinguistic performatives
Journal of Speech and Hearing Research
|June 1, 1981
Summary
Sensorimotor training, specifically relating to objects schemes, improved children's performative behavior. This suggests a link between sensorimotor skills and early communication development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Child Development
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Sensorimotor abilities are foundational for cognitive and communicative development in children.
- Proto-declarative and proto-imperative behaviors are early forms of communication crucial for social interaction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of specific sensorimotor training schemes on performative behaviors in children.
- To determine if training in means-end or relating to objects schemes influences proto-declarative and proto-imperative skills.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-two children were randomly assigned to four groups: means-end training, relating to objects training, combined training, or a control group.
- Participants' performative behavior was assessed following the training interventions.
Main Results:
- Training focused on relating to objects schemes was effective in enhancing performative behavior.
- Children in the relating to objects training group demonstrated a greater degree of performative usage compared to other groups.
Conclusions:
- Sensorimotor training, particularly in relating to objects schemes, positively impacts early communicative abilities.
- These findings support a significant relationship between the development of sensorimotor skills and communicative competence in children.