Dimitri Christakis|Frederick J. Zimmerman|Michelle M. Garrison
Effect of Block Play on Language Acquisition and Attention in Toddlers
Christ University|University of Washington|Christ University|University of Washington|Christ University|University of Washington
test hypotheses block play improves language acquisition attentionrandomized controlled trialpediatric clinicchildren aged 112 212 yearsdistribution 2 sets building blocksscores macarthurbates communicative development inventories television viewing based diary data hyperactivity domain child behavior checklistof 220 families approached clinic waiting room 175 80 agreed participate study least 1 diary returned 92 175 families 53 total 140 families 80 completed exit interviews children intervention group 52 59 block play reported diaries compared 11 13 control group p01 linear regression results language acquisition follows entire sampleraw score 752 p07 percentile 84 p15 lowincome sampleraw score 1240 p01 percentile 1494 p03 attention results follows entire sampleodds ratio 049 p29 lowincome sampleodds ratio 048 p26 statistically significant differences respect hyperactivity scoresdistribution blocks lead improved language development middle lowincome children research warranted