Assessing the language of 2 year-olds: From theory to practice
Date
2023-06-23
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Infancy
Abstract
Early screening for language problems is a priority given the importance of language for success in school and interpersonal relationships. The paucity of reliable behavioral instruments for this age group prompted the development of a new touchscreen language screener for 2-year-olds that relies on language comprehension. Developmental literature guided selection of age-appropriate markers of language disorder risk that are culturally and dialectally neutral and could be reliably assessed. Items extend beyond products of linguistic knowledge (vocabulary and syntax) and tap the process by which children learn language, also known as fast mapping. After piloting an extensive set of items (139), two phases of testing with over 500 children aged 2; 0–2; 11 were conducted to choose the final 40-item set. Rasch analysis was used to select the best fitting and least redundant items. Norms were created based on 270 children. Sufficient test-retest reliability, Cronbach's alpha, and convergent validity with the MB-CDI and PPVT are reported. This quick behavioral measure of language capabilities could support research studies and facilitate the early detection of language problems.
Description
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Jackson, E., Levine, D., de Villiers, J., Iglesias, A., Hirsh-Pasek, K., & Michnick Golinkoff, R. (2023). Assessing the language of 2 year-olds: From theory to practice. Infancy, 28(5), 930–957. https://doi.org/10.1111/infa.12554, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/infa.12554. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited. © 2023 International Congress of Infant Studies. This article will be embargoed until 06/23/2025.
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Citation
Jackson, E., Levine, D., de Villiers, J., Iglesias, A., Hirsh-Pasek, K., & Michnick Golinkoff, R. (2023). Assessing the language of 2 year-olds: From theory to practice. Infancy, 28(5), 930–957. https://doi.org/10.1111/infa.12554