Research
Development of Turn-taking
Conversational turn-taking is a universal system for language acquisition and processing. Not only adults, but also infants take turns using their speech-like vocalizations (i.e., protophones) when communicating with adults in early infancy. In addition, when caregivers interact with their infants, they tend to use Infant-Directed Speech (IDS) which plays a critical role in both turn-taking and language development. How do infants learn to take turns in protoconversation? How do caregivers play a role in facilitating development of turn-taking?
Our research focuses on the early development of turn-taking in both typically developing infants and infants with atypical development. We aim to uncover the cognitive processes of turn-taking which have deep roots in human social life. Because turn-taking is cognitively sophisticated and a socially essential system, it may be useful in detecting developmental impairments such as autism, in applying to early intervention, and in helping to provide treatments for people with cognitive impairments.
Infant Vocal Development
Infants produce both protophones and distress vocalizations (e.g., cry) from the beginning of life. Protophones serve as precursors to speech while distress vocalizations are bound to expressing distress. Our research seeks to better understand speech and language development by investigating both protophones and cries using behavioral and physiological approaches.
Conversational turn-taking is a universal system for language acquisition and processing. Not only adults, but also infants take turns using their speech-like vocalizations (i.e., protophones) when communicating with adults in early infancy. In addition, when caregivers interact with their infants, they tend to use Infant-Directed Speech (IDS) which plays a critical role in both turn-taking and language development. How do infants learn to take turns in protoconversation? How do caregivers play a role in facilitating development of turn-taking?
Our research focuses on the early development of turn-taking in both typically developing infants and infants with atypical development. We aim to uncover the cognitive processes of turn-taking which have deep roots in human social life. Because turn-taking is cognitively sophisticated and a socially essential system, it may be useful in detecting developmental impairments such as autism, in applying to early intervention, and in helping to provide treatments for people with cognitive impairments.
Infant Vocal Development
Infants produce both protophones and distress vocalizations (e.g., cry) from the beginning of life. Protophones serve as precursors to speech while distress vocalizations are bound to expressing distress. Our research seeks to better understand speech and language development by investigating both protophones and cries using behavioral and physiological approaches.