Exemplar Variability Facilitates Retention of Word Learning by Children With Specific Language Impairment.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Variability in the input plays an important role in language learning. The current study examined the role of object variability for new word learning by preschoolers with specific language impairment (SLI).

Method

Eighteen 4- and 5-year-old children with SLI were taught 8 new words in 3 short activities over the course of 3 sessions. Half of the children saw 3 identical objects corresponding to each new word during training (No Variability group); the other half of the children saw 3 different objects corresponding to each new word during training (High Variability group). Children completed vocabulary learning tests for objects seen during training and for new within-category objects that were never seen during training as a test of category generalization. Learnin

SUBMITTER: Aguilar JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6105085 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature