McGillion, M. 1 , Herbert, J. 1 , Pine, J. 2 , Keren-Portnoy, T. 3 , Vihman, M. 3 & Matthews, D. 1
1 University of Sheffield
2 University of Liverpool
3 University of York
Maternal responsiveness is a multi-dimensional construct encompassing ?prompt, contingent and appropriate reactions? to infant communicative acts that has been positively related to language outcomes (Bornstein & Tamis-LeMonda, 1989). A substantial body of research has explored different aspects of responsiveness, such as its timing, syntax and semantic content (Tamis-LeMonda, Bornstein & Baumwell, 2001). However, perhaps because of the many ways in which responsiveness can be operationalised, there is currently a lack of consensus around what type of responsiveness is most helpful for later language development (Masur, Flynn & Eichorst, 2005). The present study aimed to deconstruct the responsiveness construct by considering several dimensions on a single cohort to determine which measure best predicts early expressive vocabulary development. Drawing on an existing longitudinal dataset of naturalistic video-recorded dyadic interaction, maternal verbal responsiveness with their 9.5 month old infants was considered in relation to expressive vocabulary at 18months. Three dimensions of responsiveness were operationalised: Semantic responsiveness: maternal utterances that referred to the infant?s focus of attention; Temporal responsiveness: maternal utterances occurring within two seconds of an infant vocalisation; Semantic and temporal responsiveness: semantically appropriate utterances occurring within two seconds of an infant vocalisation. Mothers who responded more often to their infant?s vocalisations tended to do so in a semantically appropriate manner, however, only utterances that were both semantically appropriate and temporally linked to an infant vocalisation were related to later expressive vocabulary development. Regression analysis revealed that prompt and semantically appropriate maternal language at 9.5 months was a significant predicator of expressive vocabulary at 18months. This finding underlines the dyadic nature of the responsiveness construct and draws attention to the importance of early vocalisations as potential signals of infant attention. Further coding and analysis will consider the relationship between these responsiveness measures and other aspects of infant directed speech.