Learning language in early childhood occurs through interaction between children and their caregivers. It is a foundational process that allows children to participate in social interactions, learn from the world, and develop other essential skills such as literacy. Having a language delay or disorder is associated with greater risk for experiencing trauma and vice versa. Furthermore, children’s and caregivers’ trauma histories can impact their individual strengths and needs related to participation in early language intervention.
Language Learning
Jenny Saffran, PhD – Slide of the Week
How do infants become word meaning experts? This registered report investigated the structure of infants’ early lexical representations by manipulating the typicality of exemplars from familiar animal categories.
How physical environment shapes language learning in toddlers
The environment in which toddlers learn language may have a greater impact on word learning than previously understood.
Baby talk: UW’s Waisman lab explores the how and why behind an infant’s first words
A child’s first word is a special moment, their eyes widening in curiosity, one chubby finger pointing to an object in sudden recognition as “juice” or “train.”