Functions of Repetition in the Conversations of Preschool Children

Abstract

Abstract Two studies were conducted in which immediate verbal repetitions of preschool children by their peers were recorded and coded into categories of communicative intent. In the first study, 50 preschoolers ranging in age from 3 to 6 years were observed in their classroom during free play. The most frequently scored conversational categories were matching a claim, countering a claim, and agreeing. In the second study, six pairs of 4- and 5-year-old children matched by sex, age, and verbal ability were videotaped during free play, and their repetitive utterances were coded using the same category system. These results replicated the first study in terms of the functions of the repetitions. No sex differences were found in the use of repetitions. Results showed that verbal repetition was infrequently but consistently used to negotiate verbal claims. Preschool children are also beginning to use contingent queries, a prominent use of immediate repetition in adult speech.