ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AFFECTING TODDLER SPEECH DELAY: LANGUAGE EXPOSURE, SOCIAL INTERACTION AND SCREEN TIME
Keywords:
Gadget Use, Input Deprivation, Psychological Factor, Social Interaction, Speech DelayAbstract
The three key areas of screen time, social interaction, and language exposure are the focus of this study, which looks at how the environment influences babies' early language development and delayed speech. Forty mothers of toddlers between the ages of 18 and 36 months were asked to fill out a structured questionnaire using a psycholinguistic technique. The purpose of the questionnaire was to evaluate language exposure, social interaction, and screen time in the home setting. A pilot test was conducted in order to enhance the device and ensure its reliability. The results indicate that both restricted language exposure and lower levels of social interaction were linked to a higher incidence of speech delay in toddlers. Poor language development has also been connected to excessive screen use, which makes speech problems worse. These findings demonstrate how important it is to decrease passive screen time and create rich language contexts in order to promote language acquisition in a healthy manner. For the purpose of developing targeted interventions for toddlers with speech impairments, the study provides early childhood educators and medical professionals with helpful information. Future research should examine the long-term effects of these environmental factors on language development.
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