Predicting elements of early maternal elaborative discourse from 12 to 18 months of age

Abstract

To date, much of the research investigating maternal–child discourse has focused on the preschool period of children's development, with little attention paid to how these styles develop. The current study aimed to assess whether maternal elaborative discourse elements seen in preschool are also evident during the toddler years, and whether the use of these elements is predicted by children's temperament, maternal mind mindedness, and attachment security. Results revealed that elaborative discourse elements are used by mothers during discourse with 12- and 18 month-old children, and that child temperament, attachment security, and maternal mind mindedness at 12 months predicted maternal use of these elements when children were 18 months old. These results provide evidence that elements of maternal discourse style begin forming prior to children's active involvement in discourse interactions and that child, maternal, and relationship characteristics assume important roles in shaping early discourse styles.