Early Cognitive and Environmental Correlates of Language Development at 4 Years

Abstract

Cognitive and environmental factors related to language development were studied in 46 preterm (birthweight less than 1501 grams) and 50 fullterm infants. The children were administered the Bayley Scales at 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24 months, the Uzgiris-Hunt Scales at 4, 8, 12, and 18 months, the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME), a scale that measures the characteristics of the environment, at 12 months and 3 years, and the Reynell Developmental Language Scales at 2, 3, and 4 years. The Bayley Scales, even as early as 4 months, were significantly correlated with Reynell Comprehension and Expression scores at 4 years. In general, the perceptual motor items of the Bayley tended to be most predictive early in development. Later in development items related to conceptual abilities became predictive and, finally, items related to early language abilities predicted subsequent language scores. The Means-End Relationships, Object Permanence, and Space and Scheme scales of the Uzgiris-Hunt were related to language comprehension and expression at 4 years. In addition, Gestural Imitation was related to language expression. Some of the HOME scales at 12 months were significantly correlated with subsequent language comprehension scores, while most of the HOME scores at 3 years were significantly correlated with all language measures. Although both environmental and cognitive factors are significant predictors of language development, the cognitive factors appear to be more significant in the early months and the environmental factors become more significant later in development.