Abstract
Highlights: Degree of lateralization for grasping predicts the maturity of the language production system in young, typically-developing children.In this report we provide compelling evidence for the relationship between right hand grasp-to-mouth (i.e., feeding) movements and language development. Specifically, we show that children (4–5 years old) who are more right-hand lateralized in picking up small food items for consumption show enhanced differentiation of the “s” and “sh” sounds. This result suggests that left hemisphere control of hand-to-mouth gestures may have provided an evolutionary platform for the development of language. The current investigation presents the exciting possibility that early right hand-to-mouth training could accelerate the development of articulation skills.
Highlights
Speech is the most complex human motor action, involving manipulations of about 100 vocal and respiratory muscles (Levelt, 1989)
Despite the overwhelming evidence drawn from special populations and neuroimaging literature, motor development has been largely overlooked as a playmate of normal language development (Adolph et al, 2010)
For the speech articulation test, the measure was the acoustic distance between the “s” and “sh” sounds as the child produced the names of objects when they appeared on a computer monitor
Summary
Speech is the most complex human motor action, involving manipulations of about 100 vocal and respiratory muscles (Levelt, 1989). Children with speech articulation deficits such as phonological disorder or developmental dyspraxia often present with deficits in manual dexterity (Viholainen et al, 2002; Visscher et al, 2007; Preston et al, 2010). This evidence suggests a common mechanism underlying both fine motor function and speech production. In the normally-developing population, evidence for this relationship is scarce This is surprising given that the neural substrates that regulate motor control (in the frontal lobe) have been speculated to facilitate language acquisition in children (Iverson, 2010), as well as underlie the evolution of human language (Lieberman, 2002). Despite the overwhelming evidence drawn from special populations and neuroimaging literature, motor development has been largely overlooked as a playmate of normal language development (Adolph et al, 2010)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
