How do Children’s Play Environments affect their Ability to Learn Language?
The environment in which children play in has been found to not only affect children’s ability to learn language but it also affects the quality of adults speech. As children are learning new words it is harder for them to process language as we would find if we were learning a new language. This doesn’t mean you need an instagram ready play area it refers to the communication environments, ie. a TV or music on in the background can have a negative impact on a child’s ability to learn new words and the quality of speech we use with kids. Research suggests making play environments quieter can help children develop language.
Influences of Background Noise on Infants and Children
Erickson. L. C, & Newman, R. S.
2017
The Effects of Background Television on the Quantity and Quality of Child-Directed Speech by Parents
Pempek, T. A., Kirkorian, H. L., & Anderson, D. R.
2013
Learning in Complex Environments: The Effects of Background Speech on Early Word Learning
McMillan, B. T. M. & Safran, J. R.
2016