Early Vocabulary Acquisition: From Birth Order Effect to Child‐to‐Caregiver Ratio.
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| Title: | Early Vocabulary Acquisition: From Birth Order Effect to Child‐to‐Caregiver Ratio. |
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| Authors: | Rosslund, Audun (AUTHOR), Kartushina, Natalia (AUTHOR), Serres, Nora (AUTHOR), Mayor, Julien (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Child Development. Jul/Aug2025, Vol. 96 Issue 4, p1343-1353. 11p. |
| Subjects: | Birth order, Siblings, Gender differences in language, Family relationships of caregivers, Age factors in language acquisition |
| Geographic Terms: | Norway |
| Abstract: | Growing up with multiple siblings might negatively affect language development. This study examined the associations between birth order, sibling characteristics and parent‐reported vocabulary size in 6163 Norwegian 8‐ to 36‐month‐old children (51.4% female). Results confirmed that birth order was negatively associated with vocabulary, yet exhibited a U‐shaped pattern. A data‐driven measure of "child‐to‐caregiver ratio" in the household was developed, in which old‐enough siblings—females 1–3 years earlier than males—were considered caregivers for their younger siblings. This measure explained variance in vocabulary better than birth order, and indicates sex‐differences in the age at which older siblings contribute to, rather than deplete, available resources. A child‐to‐caregiver ratio might better capture the interplay between language‐learning resources and demands within households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Growing up with multiple siblings might negatively affect language development. This study examined the associations between birth order, sibling characteristics and parent‐reported vocabulary size in 6163 Norwegian 8‐ to 36‐month‐old children (51.4% female). Results confirmed that birth order was negatively associated with vocabulary, yet exhibited a U‐shaped pattern. A data‐driven measure of "child‐to‐caregiver ratio" in the household was developed, in which old‐enough siblings—females 1–3 years earlier than males—were considered caregivers for their younger siblings. This measure explained variance in vocabulary better than birth order, and indicates sex‐differences in the age at which older siblings contribute to, rather than deplete, available resources. A child‐to‐caregiver ratio might better capture the interplay between language‐learning resources and demands within households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 00093920 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/cdev.14251 |
