Journal article
Testing the relationship between preferences for infant-directed speech and vocabulary development: A multi-lab study
Journal of child language, Vol.52(5), pp.984-1009
09/2025
DOI: 10.1017/S0305000924000254
PMID: 39422249
Abstract
From early on, infants show a preference for infant-directed speech (IDS) over adult-directed speech (ADS), and exposure to IDS has been correlated with language outcome measures such as vocabulary. The present multi-laboratory study explores this issue by investigating whether there is a link between early preference for IDS and later vocabulary size. Infants' preference for IDS was tested as part of the ManyBabies 1 project, and follow-up CDI data were collected from a subsample of this dataset at 18 and 24 months. A total of 341 (18 months) and 327 (24 months) infants were tested across 21 laboratories. In neither preregistered analyses with North American and UK English, nor exploratory analyses with a larger sample did we find evidence for a relation between IDS preference and later vocabulary. We discuss implications of this finding in light of recent work suggesting that IDS preference measured in the laboratory has low test-retest reliability.From early on, infants show a preference for infant-directed speech (IDS) over adult-directed speech (ADS), and exposure to IDS has been correlated with language outcome measures such as vocabulary. The present multi-laboratory study explores this issue by investigating whether there is a link between early preference for IDS and later vocabulary size. Infants' preference for IDS was tested as part of the ManyBabies 1 project, and follow-up CDI data were collected from a subsample of this dataset at 18 and 24 months. A total of 341 (18 months) and 327 (24 months) infants were tested across 21 laboratories. In neither preregistered analyses with North American and UK English, nor exploratory analyses with a larger sample did we find evidence for a relation between IDS preference and later vocabulary. We discuss implications of this finding in light of recent work suggesting that IDS preference measured in the laboratory has low test-retest reliability.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Testing the relationship between preferences for infant-directed speech and vocabulary development: A multi-lab study
- Creators
- Melanie Soderstrom - University of ManitobaJoscelin Rocha-HidalgoLuis E Muñoz - University of OsloAgata Bochynska - University of OsloJanet F Werker - University of British ColumbiaBarbora Skarabela - University of EdinburghAmanda Seidl - Purdue University SystemYana Ryjova - University of Nevada, Las VegasJennifer L Rennels - University of Nevada, Las VegasChristine E Potter - The University of Texas at El PasoMarkus Paulus - Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität MünchenMitsuhiko Ota - University of EdinburghNonah M Olesen - University of Louisville HospitalKarli M Nave - University of Nevada, Las VegasJulien Mayor - University of OsloAlia Martin - Victoria University of WellingtonLauren C Machon - University of LeedsCasey Lew-WilliamsEon-Suk KoHyunji Kim - Chosun UniversityNatalia Kartushina - University of OsloMarina Kammermeier - Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität MünchenAndrew Jessop - University of LiverpoolJessica F Hay - University of Tennessee at KnoxvilleNaomi Havron - Université Paris Sciences et LettresErin E Hannon - University of Nevada, Las VegasJ. Kiley HamlinNayeli Gonzalez-GomezAnja Gampe - University of Duisburg-EssenTom Fritzsche - University of PotsdamMichael C Frank - Stanford UniversitySamantha Durrant - University of ManchesterCatherine Davies - University of LeedsCara Cashon - University of Louisville HospitalKrista Byers-HeinleinVeronica Boyce - Stanford UniversityAlexis K Black - University of British ColumbiaChristina Bergmann - Max Planck Institute for PsycholinguisticsLaura Anderson - Victoria University of WellingtonMohammed K Alshakhori - University of ArizonaAli H Al-HoorieAngeline S M Tsui
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of child language, Vol.52(5), pp.984-1009
- DOI
- 10.1017/S0305000924000254
- PMID
- 39422249
- NLM abbreviation
- J Child Lang
- ISSN
- 1469-7602
- eISSN
- 1469-7602
- Publisher
- CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS
- Grant note
- NICHD: R01 095912 NIH: 1R01HD083312 NRF: 2021R1I1A2051993 NSERC Discovery: RGPIN-2019-05367 Research Council of Norway: 301625 Centres of Excellence funding scheme: 223265 SSHRC Insight Grant: 435-2019-0306 NSERC: DG 81103
The authors acknowledge the following funding sources: Andrew Jessop was supported by ES/L008955/1 and ES/S007113/1; Samantha Durrant was supported by ES/S007113/1 & ES/L008955/1; Christine E. Potter was supported by NICHD F32 HD093139; Casey Lew-Williams was supported by NICHD R01 095912; Jessica F. Hay was supported by NIH 1R01HD083312; Eon-Suk Ko was supported by NRF 2021R1I1A2051993; Melanie Soderstrom was supported by NSERC Discovery RGPIN-2019-05367; Natalia Kartushina was supported by Research Council of Norway 301625 & Centres of Excellence funding scheme 223265; Janet F. Werker was supported by SSHRC Insight Grant 435-2019-0306 & NSERC DG 81103. We also thank the many research assistants and participants who contributed to this study.
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 10/18/2024
- Date published
- 09/2025
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences
- Record Identifier
- 9984737137002771
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