ERIC Number: EJ867415
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Jan
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1363-755X
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Adults' Social Cues Facilitate Young Children's Use of Signs and Symbols
Leekam, Susan R.; Solomon, Tracy L.; Teoh, Yee-San
Developmental Science, v13 n1 p108-119 Jan 2010
Three experiments investigated the effect of an adult's social cues on 2- and 3-year-old children's ability to use a sign or symbol to locate a hidden object. Results showed that an adult's positive, engaging facial expression facilitated children's ability to identify the correct referent, particularly for 3-year-olds. A neutral facial expression and the presence of the adult's hand also facilitated performance, but to a lesser degree than did an engaging facial expression. The effect of the adult's social cues was greater for relatively unfamiliar signs and symbols (replica or arrow) than it was for a more familiar sign (pointing finger). These findings indicate that non-directional social cues such as facial expression help to convey communicative intent and facilitate children's comprehension of signs and symbols.
Descriptors: Object Permanence, Cues, Nonverbal Communication, Adults, Social Behavior, Toddlers, Task Analysis, Human Body
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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Authoring Institution: N/A
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Author Affiliations: N/A