The impact of a community-based music program during infancy on the quality of parent-child language interactions.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2024

Identifier

DOI: 10.1111/cdev.14005

Abstract

The early language environment, especially high-quality, contingent parent-child language interactions, is crucial for a child's language development and later academic success. In this secondary analysis study, 89 parent-child dyads were randomly assigned to either the Music Together® (music) or play date (control) classes. Children were 9- to 15-month old at baseline, primarily white (86.7%) and female (52%). Measures of conversational turns (CTs) and parental verbal quality were coded from parent-child free play episodes at baseline, mid-intervention (month 6), and post-intervention (month 12). Results show that participants in the music group had a significantly greater increase in CT measures and quality of parent verbalization post-intervention. Music enrichment programs may be a strategy to enhance parent-child language interactions during early childhood.

Journal Title

Child development

Volume

95

Issue

2

First Page

481

Last Page

496

MeSH Keywords

Humans; Female; Child, Preschool; Child; Infant; Music; Child Language; Parent-Child Relations; Language Development; Parents

Keywords

Music; Child Language; Parent-Child Relations; Language Development; Parents

Link to Full Text
Library Record

Share

COinS