A new study from the Department of Psychology at the University of Oslo reveals that older siblings may enrich the youngest child's vocabulary. The research examined the relationship between language development and family composition in over 6,000 Norwegian children aged 1-3.
The study, published in the journal Child Development, found that children with three or more siblings showed an increase in vocabulary. Audun Rosslund, the lead author, noted that previous research indicated smaller vocabularies in children with older siblings. This was often attributed to fewer parental resources and attention per child.
The researchers examined the ratio of children to caregivers, including parents and older siblings. They simulated models to find the age threshold at which older siblings became resources. This threshold was found to be in early adolescence, with older sisters reaching it one to three years earlier than brothers.
Rosslund explained that girls typically have faster language development and earlier social and cognitive maturation. The relationship between the number of children and caregivers had a greater impact on vocabulary variation than birth order. The key takeaway is the importance of household dynamics.
Rosslund suggests that these findings can be applied to the number of caregivers in nurseries and kindergartens. He notes that nurseries can play a significant role in language development, especially when the home environment is less stimulating. The Norwegian Directorate of Health issued recommendations for early assistance for children with language difficulties.
The recommendations also include providing parents with guidance on creating a rich linguistic environment at home. This includes stimulating the child's language development through interaction and limiting screen time. Rosslund's previous study showed a negative relationship between daily screen time and vocabulary in two-year-olds.
The recurring theme in these studies is the importance of time, attention, and linguistic stimulation. This is something both parents and older siblings may contribute to. The study highlights the positive impact of a supportive environment on a child's language acquisition.