The Language Use and Interactions of African American Mothers and Their Toddlers in the Home

The present study addressed how middle income African American mothers used language with their two-year old children and how the mothers' cultural beliefs influenced their language interactions. The purpose of this study was to investigate caregiver-child interactions with a focus on language behaviors and beliefs among African American families. The dual questions that framed this research study were: What is the nature of the language interactions between African American caregivers and their young children, and what caregiver beliefs about language were revealed through these interactions? The current study addressed these questions from a critical-multicultural research orientation. To contribute to a better understanding of the nature of language interaction between African American caregivers and their young children, a mixed methodology study of 8 mother-child dyads was conducted. A standardized assessment, parent and child information profiles, home observations, and in-depth interviews were used to examine caregiver interactions with two-year-olds during communication events of the mother's choosing. All videotaped sessions were transcribed using SALT software (Systematic Analysis of Language Transcripts; Miller & Chapman, 1998) and analyzed by coding adult language behaviors. Adult language behaviors and reported for each dyad across two videotaped sessions. Stimulated recalls were done with the mothers to gather information about interaction behaviors used and beliefs. Findings indicate that African American mothers the variety of language behaviors used to encourage children's language within the home. With many of the mothers, culture had a substantial impact on their interactions styles.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Education

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Murry, Jacqueline Denise

Contributors dc:contributor

• Ostrosky, Michaelene M.

• Health Sciences, Speech Pathology

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3223675

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/79914