Psychological Factors That Affect

Language Development in Children

Children develop language skills at a varying rate, according to The Children's Hospital at
Westmead, Australia. Although some children grow to understand and speak rather
quickly, others may develop slowly. There are numerous possible reasons and, in some
cases, may be psychological. The psychological factors affecting language development
can be environment or care related. Often, the reasons may even have to do with a
medical problem which results in a psychological disorder and prevents children from
properly developing in this area.

Speech Problems

According to Kyla Boyse, at the University of Michigan, certain medical issues can
prevent a child from developing efficient language skills or slow down the process.
Speech problems such as dysanthia, stuttering, speaking in low volume or in a slurred
manner, can often be embarrassing for the child and lead to emotional insecurity. As a
result, she may hesitate to speak and thus delay her language development.

Level of Care
The level of care that a child receives from her parents may also affect her language
development, according to a study carried out by the University of North Carolina.
Research showed that children who are neglected by their care providers tend to develop
language skills more slowly, in comparison to kids who are given all the attention and
care that they need. In cases where children are overlooked and left alone too much, the
lack of communication and encouragement often prevents them from properly
developing and may slow down the acquisition of language skill significantly.

Traumatic Stress

According to The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, traumatic stress can prevent a
child from understanding language and learning to speak correctly. Exposure to violence
and abuse can lead to the child suffering from severe anxiety, which in turn can have
negative effects on her language development. As her ability to handle her emotions
becomes affected, her ability to express herself effectively diminishes.

Social Environment
As studies carried out by the University of Virginia and Ohio State University showed, a
child's ability to understand language as well as speak has a lot to do with her social
environment. Her parents, teachers and peers play a decisive role in her language
development, as communication is important for her progress. As a result, social
environments that encourage communication significantly assist children in developing
in the area of language development. On the contrary, when a child's social environment
feels intimidating and stressful and communication is not effectively promoted, she is
more likely to avoid speaking and may become more reserved. This feeling of insecurity
can often slow down language development.

Factors Affecting Literacy Development

Time spent reading to your child is an important part of literacy development.

Children all learn to read at their own pace, however, there are several factors that help a
child master the skills needed to read successfully. Classroom environment, parental
beliefs, time spent reading with a child and vocabulary development all play a role in a
child's literacy development
.

1.
o

Classroom Environment
A literacy-rich classroom environment exposes children to written and oral language in a
wide variety of ways and gives children the opportunity to develop their literacy skills. Access to a wide
and frequently rotating range of books exposes children to literacy and encourages children to read
independently. A well-trained teacher provides support and literacy instruction to each student, and
children are able to build their skills through group activities with their peers.

Parental Beliefs
o

Parental thoughts on literacy development are another factor, notes the Encyclopedia of
Language and Literacy website (literacyencyclopedia.ca). Parents who understand the importance of
reading and literacy development are more likely to be supportive of their child's literacy than parents who
do not understand the need for certain literacy-based activities, such as phonics or phonemic awareness
lessons. In addition, parents who enjoy reading themselves, and do so frequently, are more likely to
engage their children in literacy-based activities.

Read Alouds
o

Reading out loud to a child frequently has a significant impact on literacy development by
exposing the child to books and the function of print. When paired with a discussion of the story, a read
aloud allows the child to develop comprehension skills by listening to an advanced reader summarize story
events and answering simple questions about the book's plot. The Encyclopedia of Language and Literacy
website notes that parents who have a positive and secure relationship with their children have more
meaningful interactions when reading together, leading to additional support of literacy development.

Vocubulary Development
o

Children must have a basic understanding of vocabulary in order to acquire reading skills,
especially comprehension. Children who are involved in conversations, especially those involving events
that are not currently taking place, typically develop their vocabulary quickly, as do those exposed to a
range of vocabulary at both home and school. Children coming from low socio-economic status homes are
less likely to be exposed to a wide range of vocabulary skills, notes the Encyclopedia of Language and
Literacy website, and these parents should try to use more varied vocabulary when talking to their
children to support literacy development.