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Accelerating language acquisition
W Fowler1, K Ogston, G Roberts-Fiati
1Center for Early Learning and Child Care, Cambridge, MA 02138.
Ciba Foundation Symposium
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Early language enrichment programs significantly boost child development, leading to advanced academic and social skills. These programs show potential for widespread improvement in cognitive and verbal competencies.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Education
- Linguistics
Background:
- High correlations exist between early verbal skills and parental/teacher language practices.
- Significant potential for widespread improvement in cognitive and language development is suggested.
- Research investigates long-term outcomes of early language enrichment programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the long-term impact of early language enrichment on child development.
- To determine the extent to which language and other skills can be accelerated.
- To explore the relationship between early enrichment, socialization, and later outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Follow-up research on late adolescents who participated in infancy language enrichment programs.
- Data collection on academic performance, skills, and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores.
- Analysis of diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds, focusing on home vs. day-care settings.
Main Results:
- 62-93% of home-stimulated children were in gifted programs, achieved high grades, and excelled in reading/writing.
- Participants demonstrated high skills in verbal, mathematical, and academic domains.
- Children also showed social, athletic, and intellectual independence.
Conclusions:
- Early language enrichment can significantly increase competence beyond current norms in the short term.
- Long-term outcomes are influenced by the interplay between early skill foundations and parental support.
- Further data collection and analysis are ongoing to fully understand developmental dynamics.