Shannon M. Pruden|Susan C. Levine|Janellen Huttenlocher
Children’s spatial thinking: does talk about the spatial world matter?
Florida International University|University of Chicago|University of Chicago
paper examine relations parent spatial language input childrens production spatial language childrens later spatial abilities using longitudinal study design coded use spatial language ie words describing spatial features properties objects eg big tall circle curvy edge child age 14 46 months diverse sample 52 parentchild dyads interacting home settings children given three nonverbal spatial tasks items spatial transformation task levine et al 1999 block design subtest wppsiiii wechsler 2002 items spatial analogies subtest primary test cognitive skills huttenlocher levine 1990 54 months age find parents vary widely amount spatial language use children everyday interactions variability spatial language input turn predicts amount spatial language children produce controlling overall parent language input furthermore children produce spatial language likely perform better spatial problem solving tasks later age