Full Reference 

Blaiklock, K. (2013). Talking with children when using prams while shopping. NZ Research in Early Childhood Education Journal, 16, 15 - 28.

Abstract

Children’s language development is influenced by the amount and quality of interactions that they are immersed in.  This study investigated the parent-child interactions that occur when parents accompany young children in prams while moving between shops.  Overall, minimal levels of interaction were observed between parents and children aged 0-3 years.  Most children were transported in prams where they faced forward and could not see their parents, making interaction more difficult. Language interactions may be facilitated in prams where children face towards their parents but only a small number of prams with this design were observed.  Support for the value of being able to face towards parents was seen in the higher frequency of language interactions that occurred when young children were transported in supermarket trolleys. Greater parental awareness of the importance of one-to-one language exchanges could increase the value of shopping excursions as a time for parent-child interaction.

Key words: Language acquisition; parent-child interaction; child-directed speech.

 

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