First LanguagePub Date : 2022-05-03DOI: 10.1177/01427237221093850
Keeley L. Dobinson, J. Dockrell
{"title":"Examining the psychometric properties of the ELLECCT: A commentary on Weadman, Serry and Snow (2022)","authors":"Keeley L. Dobinson, J. Dockrell","doi":"10.1177/01427237221093850","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01427237221093850","url":null,"abstract":"Domain-specific observational tools that use valid and objectively measurable items are key to supporting improvement and developing understanding of practice in early years classrooms. The ‘Emergent Literacy and Language Early Childhood Checklist for Teachers’ (ELLECCT) aims to address a current gap in the tools that are available to capture behaviours which support language and literacy during book reading activities. We examine the ELLECCT’s utility as a single observational tool for both researchers and educators seeking to capture extratextual oral language and emergent literacy strategies during shared book reading.","PeriodicalId":47254,"journal":{"name":"First Language","volume":"42 1","pages":"592 - 595"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48636159","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
First LanguagePub Date : 2022-04-27DOI: 10.1177/01427237221091622
{"title":"Corrigendum to ‘No evidence of an association between parental mind-mindedness at 9 months and language development at either 9 or 25 months in Swedish infants’","authors":"","doi":"10.1177/01427237221091622","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01427237221091622","url":null,"abstract":"Nyberg, S., Rudner, M., Mattila, P., & Heimann, M. (2021). No evidence of an association between parental mind-mindedness at 9 months and language development at either 9 or 25 months in Swedish infants. <i>First Language, 41</i>(6), 760–778. https://doi.org/10.1177/01427237211035985","PeriodicalId":47254,"journal":{"name":"First Language","volume":"72 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138540483","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
First LanguagePub Date : 2022-04-12DOI: 10.1177/01427237221086473
V. Persici, Marika Morelli, M. Lavelli, E. Florit, L. Guerzoni, D. Cuda, Christine Yoshinaga-Itano, M. Majorano
{"title":"Bidirectional language influence in mother–child interaction and its effects on the communicative development of children with cochlear implants: A longitudinal study","authors":"V. Persici, Marika Morelli, M. Lavelli, E. Florit, L. Guerzoni, D. Cuda, Christine Yoshinaga-Itano, M. Majorano","doi":"10.1177/01427237221086473","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01427237221086473","url":null,"abstract":"The present study aimed to investigate the communicative characteristics of children with cochlear implants (CIs) and their mothers in interaction, whether and how they differ from those of mother–child dyads with normal hearing, and whether mother and child influence each other over the first year after implantation. Eighteen Italian-speaking children with CIs were assessed longitudinally across four time points, from before implantation (ages: 10–33 months) to 1 year after implantation. Two groups of normally-hearing children matched for age or lexical production level were used as comparison groups. The language used by mothers in semi-structured play sessions with their children was analyzed for use of specific techniques aimed at eliciting language in children with CIs (or Facilitating Language Techniques [FLTs]: questions, labeling, comments, parallel talk, reformulations, and directives); children’s language was analyzed for communicative functions (initiatives and adequate responses). Results showed delayed communicative development for children with CIs with respect to both control groups and different use of FLTs such as directives between mothers of children with or without normal hearing. Findings also highlighted an effect of the interlocutor’s communicative behavior for both children and mothers: In the group of children with CIs, children’s initiatives were hindered by a higher use of questions; mothers’ labeling was negatively affected by children’s responsivity. Findings may have important implications for language development support programs, families, and professionals.","PeriodicalId":47254,"journal":{"name":"First Language","volume":"42 1","pages":"499 - 522"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-04-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46152249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
First LanguagePub Date : 2022-04-06DOI: 10.1177/01427237221090024
Leher Singh
{"title":"From information to action: A commentary on Kidd and Garcia (2022)","authors":"Leher Singh","doi":"10.1177/01427237221090024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01427237221090024","url":null,"abstract":"Kidd and Garcia provide a critical analysis of linguistic representation in child language acquisition. Their findings expose a rich irony: a field of study for which diversity of experience is a basic assumption has remained non-diverse in its empirical and theoretical pursuits. In this commentary, I discuss deep-rooted structural factors that have contributed to Western dominance in child language acquisition research. Future progress relies on our ability to enhance the visibility of under-represented participants, researchers, and evaluators.","PeriodicalId":47254,"journal":{"name":"First Language","volume":"42 1","pages":"814 - 817"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-04-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45490435","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
First LanguagePub Date : 2022-04-05DOI: 10.1177/01427237221089171
J. Paradis
{"title":"What can journals do to increase the publication of research on the acquisition of understudied languages? A commentary on Kidd and Garcia (2022)","authors":"J. Paradis","doi":"10.1177/01427237221089171","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01427237221089171","url":null,"abstract":"This commentary focuses on what editors and reviewers could do to increase the publication of research on understudied languages. Specifically, I discuss three areas in which editors and reviewers could shift their perspectives and, in so doing, support the goal of increasing diversity in our field: (1) Rethinking the criteria for novelty of contribution, (2) Contextualizing sample sizes and methods and (3) Embracing multilingualism as typical development. Finally, I discuss issues around achieving equity in an English-dominant publishing world.","PeriodicalId":47254,"journal":{"name":"First Language","volume":"42 1","pages":"794 - 798"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-04-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42021009","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
First LanguagePub Date : 2022-03-28DOI: 10.1177/01427237221084505
C. Pye
{"title":"Exploring language diversity: A commentary on Kidd and Garcia (2022)","authors":"C. Pye","doi":"10.1177/01427237221084505","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01427237221084505","url":null,"abstract":"The commentary amplifies Kidd and Garcia’s call for increased attention to language diversity in research on language acquisition by noting several implications of language diversity for acquisition theory and practice. An examination of the languages discussed in six recent articles on acquisition theory echos Kidd and Garcia’s observations on the inordinate role that better-studied languages play in acquisition research. Documenting the acquisition of 7,000 languages over the coming decade requires a new infrastructure for acquisition research. Sketches of child languages offer a community-based solution to processing bottlenecks and promote the use of indigenous languages.","PeriodicalId":47254,"journal":{"name":"First Language","volume":"42 1","pages":"799 - 803"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48960635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
First LanguagePub Date : 2022-03-24DOI: 10.1177/01427237221081201
E. Tonini, Serena Lecce, Paola Del Sette, Federica Bianco, P. Canal, V. Bambini
{"title":"Efficacy and benefits of the MetaCom training to promote metaphor comprehension in typical development","authors":"E. Tonini, Serena Lecce, Paola Del Sette, Federica Bianco, P. Canal, V. Bambini","doi":"10.1177/01427237221081201","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01427237221081201","url":null,"abstract":"Although metaphors are essential tools in everyday communication and educational settings, the literature lacks evidence of effective training tools to promote metaphor comprehension in typical development. Grounding in theoretical pragmatics, we developed a novel metaphor comprehension training (MetaCom) for school-age children that focuses on inferential and contextual aspects of metaphors. The effects of the MetaCom were tested against a control training focusing on text comprehension in a randomized controlled trial involving 55 children aged between 8;8 and 9;8. Only children in the MetaCom group improved in the ability to verbally explain the meaning of a metaphor. Moreover, only the MetaCom showed transfer effects to reading comprehension. These findings suggest that targeting inference and attention to context is key to promote metaphor understanding, and that the benefits might extend to linguistic and communicative skills at large. The MetaCom training can thus represent a promising tool for educational programs, possibly also in atypical populations.","PeriodicalId":47254,"journal":{"name":"First Language","volume":"42 1","pages":"466 - 496"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46328305","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
First LanguagePub Date : 2022-03-17DOI: 10.1177/01427237221079137
Yuanfan Ying, Xiaolu Yang, Rushen Shi
{"title":"Toddlers use functional morphemes for backward syntactic categorization","authors":"Yuanfan Ying, Xiaolu Yang, Rushen Shi","doi":"10.1177/01427237221079137","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01427237221079137","url":null,"abstract":"Previous studies show that infants store functional morphemes for inferring syntactic categories of adjacent words, and they generally perform better with nouns than with verbs. In this study, we tested whether toddlers can exploit phrasal groupings for syntactic categorization in the face of noisy co-occurrence patterns. Using a visual fixation procedure, we examined whether Mandarin-learning 19-month-olds can categorize word X to the left of functional morpheme a in a prosody-neutral 3-word sequence X-a-Y, where a structurally selects X (X and Y being unfamiliar words). Infants at 19 months were familiarized either with X-ye-Y (‘even XN YV’) or with X-le-Y (‘have XV-ed YN’). While le features a more mixed distribution than ye, 19-month-olds succeeded with both ye and le by preferring grammatical new contexts of X over ungrammatical ones, consistent with the hypothesis that phrasal groupings ([Xa. . .]) support syntactic categorization. Our findings provide initial evidence for infants’ ability to capture functional morphemes for backward syntactic categorization.","PeriodicalId":47254,"journal":{"name":"First Language","volume":"42 1","pages":"448 - 465"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-03-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43559185","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Rhyme over time: Vocabulary learning through daily reading aloud at home with children","authors":"Kirsten Read, Alena Rogojina, Olivia Hauer-Richard","doi":"10.1177/01427237221079475","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01427237221079475","url":null,"abstract":"There is robust evidence that reading aloud with young children can help them learn new vocabulary. Building upon prior research, this study tested the effects of both book text features and readers’ spontaneous extra-textual word-highlighting strategies on 3- to 4-year-olds’ vocabulary retention from repeated read alouds of a story in their own homes. Parent–child dyads (n = 30) were provided with either a rhymed or unrhymed version of the same story featuring novel names and illustrations of eight imaginary monsters, along with an audio recorder to take home. Parents recorded reading the book aloud with their child daily for five consecutive days, then children were tested on their monster name recall. Recordings of each dyad’s five progressive read alouds were transcribed, and coded for conversational elements and novel word-highlighting strategies. Findings indicate that children retained the novel monster names with equal success from rhymed and unrhymed books. While individual variation among dyads in their extra-textual commentary was high, each tended to adopt a consistent amount while reading the book across days in both rhymed and unrhymed formats, even as they became more familiar. The one extra-textual vocabulary highlighting behavior during readings that was most predictive of children’s later monster name recall was their own frequency of making guesses of the monster names before they were heard during the read alouds. A close look at the interactions between book format, book familiarity, and the extra-textual commentary around a storybook, and the implications of these interactions for vocabulary building are discussed.","PeriodicalId":47254,"journal":{"name":"First Language","volume":"42 1","pages":"426 - 447"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-03-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42156000","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
First LanguagePub Date : 2022-03-04DOI: 10.1177/01427237221081731
Ryan E. Henke
{"title":"What about broader impacts for child language acquisition research? A commentary on Kidd and Garcia (2022)","authors":"Ryan E. Henke","doi":"10.1177/01427237221081731","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/01427237221081731","url":null,"abstract":"Kidd and Garcia cogently articulate scientific problems related to intellectual merit that are associated with the lack of language diversity in L1 acquisition research. However, science must also consider stakes related to the broader impacts of research. Focusing on Indigenous language communities in North America, I discuss ways that the lack of language coverage causes linguistic science to fall short in making broader impacts in areas such as speech-language pathology and language revitalization programs.","PeriodicalId":47254,"journal":{"name":"First Language","volume":"42 1","pages":"774 - 778"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2022-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41685255","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"文学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}