Developmental differences in early language production and comprehension between 21 month-old first born and second born children

• Main Author: Letsas, Ranya
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: McGill University 1992
• Subjects: Language acquisition; Children > Language
• Online Access: http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=61151

This research was designed to provide information concerning the developmental differences in early language production and comprehension between 21 month-old first born and second born children. Furthermore, the study explored the assumption that more opportunities to hear conversations between the parent and the older sibling provide an advantage for second born children in learning personal pronouns. === Spontaneous speech productions of 16 first born children were compared to those of 16 second born children while in dyadic interactions with their mothers. First born children were observed in two 25 minute free-play dyadic interactions with their mothers. Second born children were observed in one 25 minute free-play mother-child dyadic interaction and in one 25 minute free-play mother-child-older sibling triadic interaction. All children were administered controlled tasks involving production and comprehension of first and second person pronouns. === Compared to first borns, second born children are not significantly delayed in general language development. Second borns' speech productions differ depending on whether or not their older sibling was present. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)