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Alternative explanations for the relationship between maternal verbal interaction style and child language development

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 February 2009

Paul J. Yoder  and
Ann P. Kaiser
Paul J. Yoder*
Affiliation:
Vanderbilt University
Ann P. Kaiser
Affiliation:
Vanderbilt University
*
Special Education, Vanderbilt University, Peabody Box 154, Nashville, TN 37203, USA
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Abstract

The present study analysed formerly unexamined indirect routes for relationships between time 1 maternal speech and later child language development. Ten normally developing children in Brown's early stage 1 and their mothers were the subjects. For each dyad, two free-play sessions occurring five months apart were videotaped in the subjects' homes. Mothers' pragmatic language use was coded from time 1 sessions. Child language level was coded at both sessions. Even though time 1 scores of the outcome were controlled, seven of the ten relationships involving mother speech and child language development were indirectly related through one of two time 1 child language measures. The results indicate that a mother-driven, direct influence model may be inappropriate for many mother speech–child language development relationships. We argue that child-driven and mother-driven explanatory models for the indirect relationships are equally feasible.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Child Language , Volume 16 , Issue 1 , February 1989 , pp. 141 - 160
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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