Resear
Resear
ch Proposa
ch Proposa
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l
T
T
h
h
e
e
effects
effects
o
o
f
f
prenatal
prenatal
stimulation
stimulation
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post
post
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natal
natal
language
language
acquisition
acquisition
Prepared
Table
Table of of ContentsContents
Part Part
Communication
Communication Topic Topic and and Problem (Kris DeSmet)Problem (Kris DeSmet) Rationale (Beth Themmes)
Rationale (Beth Themmes) Background (Kris DeSmet) Background (Kris DeSmet)
Focus Questions (Beth Themmes) Focus Questions (Beth Themmes) Objectives (Kris DeSmet)
Objectives (Kris DeSmet) Hypothesis (Beth Themmes) Hypothesis (Beth Themmes) Theor
Theoretical Construct (Kris etical Construct (Kris DeSmet)DeSmet) Assumptions (Beth Themmes)
Assumptions (Beth Themmes) Limitations (
Limitations (Kris Kris DeSmet)DeSmet) Terms
Terms (Kris DeSmet and (Kris DeSmet and Beth Themmes)Beth Themmes) Part
Part Methods Methods
Designs and Procedures
Designs and Procedures (Kris DeSmet(Kris DeSmet Beth Themmes)Beth Themmes) Ethical
Ethical Issues and Concerns Issues and Concerns(Kris DeSmet(Kris DeSmet Beth Themmes)Beth Themmes) Evaluation (Kris DeSmet
Evaluation (Kris DeSmet Beth Themmes)Beth Themmes) Implications
Implications of Research of Research (Kris DeSmet)(Kris DeSmet) Part
Part
Exemplary Literature Review (Beth Exemplary Literature Review (Beth Exemp
Exemplary Literature Review (Kris lary Literature Review (Kris DeSmet)DeSmet) Bibliography (Beth Themes)
Bibliography (Beth Themes)
Page Page 11 1 1 3 3 5 5 6 6 I1 I1 II II Thernrnes) Thernrnes)
PART
PART II
Communication Topic and ProblemCommunication Topic and Problem The topic of
The topic of this study this study is the effort of is the effort of prenaprenatal communication tal communication on poston post--natal languagenatal language acquisition.
acquisition. Recently, a lot of focuRecently, a lot of focus has been ps has been placed on the areas laced on the areas of learning disabled children.of learning disabled children. A
Astudy such as we propose has study such as we propose has great implications. great implications. It is supposed that some languageIt is supposed that some language deficiencies and communication problems may be curbed with the use of prenatal deficiencies and communication problems may be curbed with the use of prenatal communication techniques.
communication techniques. AA similar pilot study to the similar pilot study to the one we propose was published in one we propose was published in 19911991 by Brent Logan,
by Brent Logan, WhaWhat is t is lackilacking, however, is a ng, however, is a comprehensive comprehensive study on study on the effects of the effects of prena
prenatal communication between mother atal communication between mother and fnd fetus after etus after birth, specifically in speechbirth, specifically in speech development.
development. Rationale Rationale
Language
Language acquisition is a acquisition is a communication communication topic that has been widely researched. topic that has been widely researched. JeanJean Piaget, a widely respected psycholinguist, is one theorist who spent his
Piaget, a widely respected psycholinguist, is one theorist who spent his entire career researchingentire career researching a variet
a variety of child development issues. y of child development issues. Piaget wrotPiaget wrote many articles e many articles and books on the and books on the role of role of langua
language in ge in cognitive development ancognitive development and d the relationship between language and intellectualthe relationship between language and intellectual operations. Piaget wrote,
operations. Piaget wrote,""It is It is obviouobvious, s, in the first place, that certain hereditary factors conditionin the first place, that certain hereditary factors condition intellectual
intellectual development (19development (1952, 52, p. 1); p. 1); howevehowever, he also stated that,r, he also stated that, ""...at every level, experience...at every level, experience is necessa
is necessary to ry to the development of the development of intelligence intelligence (1952, p.(1952, p. 362).362). Therefore, it could be said thatTherefore, it could be said that while genetics pla
while genetics play y a a role in role in langulanguage development age development and intelligence, a chand intelligence, a child's experience withild's experience with langua
language will also ge will also enhance his intelligence.enhance his intelligence. Accord
According to Piaget, ing to Piaget, there are many levels of development a child goes through there are many levels of development a child goes through fromfrom birth
birth to adulthood. to adulthood. The period that relates The period that relates to the subjects to the subjects of this study is theof this study is the ""sensorisensori--motormotor"" Ph.D.
mechanisms
mechanisms for speech proper in the for speech proper in the second year. second year. Second, in theSecond, in the of infancy childrenof infancy children devel
develop formats of op formats of interaction with their caregivers that facilitate theinteraction with their caregivers that facilitate the of language and itsof language and its communicative
communicative use. use. Third, and critically, in infancy children Third, and critically, in infancy children develop the symbolic capacity,develop the symbolic capacity, which is a
which is a prerequisite for the acquisition of languageprerequisite for the acquisition of language""(1984, p. 245). (1984, p. 245). Anisfeld states Anisfeld states thatthat langua
language development begins at birth, but ge development begins at birth, but we believe that it may begin even soowe believe that it may begin even sooner in ner in utero.utero. In
In Development. an Introduction, RobertDevelopment. an Introduction, RobertEE.. Owens, Jr. describes the fetus'Owens, Jr. describes the fetus' ability to hear sounds in the womb.
ability to hear sounds in the womb. ""One examOne example of the ple of the neonate's predisposition neonate's predisposition to to speecspeech ih iss her movements
her movements in relatin relation to speech pation to speech patterns. terns. Undoubtedly, the newborn has beeUndoubtedly, the newborn has been exposed inn exposed in utero to sounds, such as the mothe
utero to sounds, such as the mother's heartbeat ar's heartbeat and digestive nd digestive sounds. sounds. She has also been hearingShe has also been hearing her mother's voice and experiencing the rhythmic moveme
her mother's voice and experiencing the rhythmic movements that accompants that accompany ny her mother'sher mother's speech
speech""(1992, p. 171).(1992, p. 171).
There are several issues brought up in the above research that are relevant to the need to There are several issues brought up in the above research that are relevant to the need to research whether or not a mother's communication with her fetus will affect her child's language research whether or not a mother's communication with her fetus will affect her child's language acquisition.
acquisition. If a If a mother can assist her cmother can assist her child in acquiring language hild in acquiring language skills by speaking or readingskills by speaking or reading to the fetus on a
to the fetus on a regular basis, it iregular basis, it is possible that the mother and chils possible that the mother and child d will bond more effectively,will bond more effectively, the child will be more intelligent, and may speak earlier than the average child.
the child will be more intelligent, and may speak earlier than the average child. Background
Background
The area of prenatal learning
The area of prenatal learning is relatively new. is relatively new. The pioneers The pioneers of prenatal learof prenatal learning werening were and Newbery.
and Newbery. Their study in 1940 involveTheir study in 1940 involved one pregnant womd one pregnant woman and the stimulus of aan and the stimulus of a loud nois
loud noise. e. They produced a sudden sound near her They produced a sudden sound near her abdomen which produced a change abdomen which produced a change in fetalin fetal heartb
heartbeat and increased movement. eat and increased movement. Repetition Repetition of the of the same noise producesame noise produced a d a conditionedconditioned response by the fetus; it adapted to the noise and no long reacted to it.
response by the fetus; it adapted to the noise and no long reacted to it. peridd peridd learning learning Language Language Sontag Sontag
Prenatal
Prenatalstudiesstudieshave comehave comeaalonglong wwayaysincesincethen.then. MoreMoreananddmoremore showsshowsthethe potential
potentialof of thetheunbornunbornchild.child. ItItisismedicalmedicalfactfactthatthataa fetusfetusdevelopsdevelopsitsitsembryonicembryonicnervousnervous system
system just justdaysdaysafterafterconceptionconceptionananddphysicallyphysicallydevelopsdevelopsresponsiveresponsivehearinghearingasasearlyearlyasasfourfouranandd
half
half monthsmonthsafterafterconception.conception.LoganLogan(1(1991)991)reportedreportedseeingseeingononeeof of hishisfetalfetalsubjects,subjects, viaviaanan
ultrasound
ultrasounddevice,device,timingtimingitsitsrespirationsrespirationstotoaaprerecordedprerecordedsetsetof of simulatedsimulatedheartbeatsheartbeatsananddeighteight
other
othersubjectssubjectscouldcould bebeseenseenmovingmovingtheirtheirheadheadtotothethesourcesourceof of thethesound.sound. FromFromthethesixthsixthtoto
eighth
eighthmonthsmonthsafterafterconception,conception,thethefetusfetusdevelopsdevelopsmemorymemorytemplates.templates. AAstudystudydonedonebyby
Spence
Spence(1986)(1986)showedshowedthatthatinfantsinfantsrespondedrespondedmoremorefavorablyfavorablytotoaa targettargetpassagepassage which
whichwawassreadreadmostmostoftenoftenbbyy itsitsmothermotherduringduringthetheprenatalprenatalperiodperiodthanthanaa novelnovelpassagepassagethatthat wawass
read
readleastleastoftenoftenororreadread bybysomeonesomeoneelse.else. ThisThisstudystudyprovidesprovidesevidenceevidencethatthatfetalfetalmemoriesmemoriesanandd learned
learned responsesresponsesininthethewombwombarearerepresentedrepresentedafterafterbirthbirthininsomesomeformformof of behavior.behavior. WhatWhatthethe infant
infantdoesdoesrememberrememberarearethetherhythmsrhythms thethemother'smother's heartbeatheartbeatanandd particularparticularfrequenciesfrequenciesof of
sound
soundheardheard prenatally.prenatally.
There
Thereisisevidenceevidencethatthatthethemother'smother's roleroleprpree--anandd postpost--natallynatallyisishighlyhighlyinfluentialinfluentialtotothethe
speech
speechdevelopmentdevelopmentof of theirtheirchild.child. NewbornsNewbornshavehaveshownshowntoto""...prefer...prefer theirtheirownownmothers'mothers' voicevoice
to
tothosethoseof of otherotherfemales,females,femalefemalevoicesvoicestotomalemalevoices,voices,anandd intrauterineintrauterineheartbeatheartbeatsoundssoundstotomalemale voices,
voices,bubutttheythey dodonotnotpreferprefertheirtheirfathers'fathers' voicesvoicestotothosethoseof of otherothermalesmales"" Spence,Spence,
1986,
1986,pp.. 5)5).. AAfetusfetushearshearsthesethesevoicesvoicesthroughthroughextensiveextensiveintrauterineintrauterinenoisesnoisessuchsuchasasthethe
hear
heartbeattbeat, , digestiondigestion,, naturalnaturalmovementmovementof of fluidsfluidswithinwithinthethemothermotheranandd thetheamountsamountsof of maternalmaternal
tissue
tissuesurroundingsurroundingthethefetus.fetus. TheseThesenoisesnoisesinhibitinhibitthe fetusthe fetus hearinghearingexternalexternalsoundssoundssuchsuchasas
a
afather'sfather's malemalevoice.voice. ResearchResearchindicatesindicatesthatthat infantsinfantstendtendtotorespondrespondfavorablyfavorablytotosoundsoundheardheard
similar to those heard while in utero.
similar to those heard while in utero.
researkh researkh DeCasper DeCasper fiom fiom (DeCasper (DeCasper fiom fiom
O
Ouurrproposproposed study ed study intends to focus on intends to focus on answeanswering the above questions throughring the above questions through
comprehensive research. comprehensive research. Objectives
Objectives The objective
The objectives we seek to meet in s we seek to meet in this study arethis study areasas follows:follows: Create interest in an
Create interest in an otherwise skepticaotherwise skeptical field.l field. Retest the findin
Retest the findings of the second phase of Project Prelearn.gs of the second phase of Project Prelearn. Provide evidence that
Provide evidence that prenaprenatal communication ctal communication can an be an be an effective means toeffective means to studying language outcomes a
studying language outcomes and that others may nd that others may use that evidence in other diverse areasuse that evidence in other diverse areas of study on human communication.
of study on human communication. Provide evide
Provide evidence of the mother's nce of the mother's importance importance to the outcomes of her childto the outcomes of her child's's development.
development.
results by studying
results by studying the effects of prenatthe effects of prenatal communication thral communication through the ough the postpost--natalnatal age of two t
age of two to go give credence to extending the study into years beyond toddler age.ive credence to extending the study into years beyond toddler age. Show credible evidence that prenatal communication
Show credible evidence that prenatal communication exercises can possibly exercises can possibly be used tobe used to reduce or eliminate post
reduce or eliminate post--natal speech deficienciesnatal speech deficiencies communication apprehension)communication apprehension) without the controversial use of gene therapy.
without the controversial use of gene therapy. Recognize
Recognize the mother's the mother's influence influence on the fetus.on the fetus. Prove there is
Prove there is reasonable reasonable ground to conduct a comprehensive study on ground to conduct a comprehensive study on languagelanguage outcomes of prenatal stimulation.
outcomes of prenatal stimulation. O
Ouurrproposproposed study ed study intends to focus on intends to focus on meetimeeting the above objectives throughng the above objectives through comprehensive research. comprehensive research. Solidifj Solidifj (i.e. (i.e.
Hypothesis Hypothesis
Past research shows that
Past research shows that mothers greatly influenmothers greatly influence their childrece their children's language acquisitionn's language acquisition b
by speaking, reading and singing to their children before y speaking, reading and singing to their children before they are born. they are born. Our study intends toOur study intends to prov
prove that mothers who speak, e that mothers who speak, read and sing to read and sing to their children prenatally have childretheir children prenatally have children whon who acquire language earlier than children who do not receive the same stimulation.
acquire language earlier than children who do not receive the same stimulation. Theoretical Construct
Theoretical Construct Speech is rooted
Speech is rootediinnthe development the development of sentence sof sentence structure. tructure. The first vocal utterancesThe first vocal utterances made upo
made upon birth are believed to be influenced bn birth are believed to be influenced by prenatal auditory stimulation. y prenatal auditory stimulation. It is thIt is the study of e study of how we come to eventual
how we come to eventually makly make a e a sentence that we believe is relevant to sentence that we believe is relevant to our research proposal.our research proposal. Therefore, we believe that structural and
Therefore, we believe that structural and generative linguistics tgenerative linguistics theory is quite heory is quite pertinent to thispertinent to this proposal.
proposal.
Structural linguistics is one model
Structural linguistics is one model relevant trelevant to this research proposal. o this research proposal. It is a multiIt is a multi--levellevel hierarchical ap
hierarchical approach to explaining the proach to explaining the construction construction of sentences, much better identified aof sentences, much better identified as ans an utterance
utterance of sound or baby talk. of sound or baby talk. Consonant Consonant and vowel phonemes and vowel phonemes are a combare a combination ination of of morphemes
morphemes which which create a single create a single syllable. syllable. Used in Used in combination combination with each with each other, theyother, they eventually leads to the fo
eventually leads to the formation of words.rmation of words. AApilot study identified as Projectpilot study identified as Project hashas published its findings on the effec
published its findings on the effects of prenatal auditory stimulation on postts of prenatal auditory stimulation on post--birth infant languagebirth infant language development.
development. One of the outcomes of this study sOne of the outcomes of this study showed that upon passhowed that upon passing the birth canal,ing the birth canal,
newborns ins
newborns instantly started cooing, eitantly started cooing, eight babbled. ght babbled. The third stage inThe third stage in epigenetic vocalization, 'ah
epigenetic vocalization, 'ah--goo,' goo,' was was achieveachieved d byby1100 babies, with a morebabies, with a more complex linguistic
complex linguistic variation, variation, 'aha,'aha,' ' featured featured once; once; an indiscriminatan indiscriminate e 'mama' 'mama' (not(not Prelearn Prelearn
"...lo "...lo
directed at the mother) was clearly uttered three times by one
directed at the mother) was clearly uttered three times by one (Logan,(Logan,
The utterances that Logan
The utterances that Logan (1(1991) describes could be easil991) describes could be easily y categorized as morphemescategorized as morphemes and phonemes, the links to more complex language components such
and phonemes, the links to more complex language components suchasasconsonant and consonant and vowelvowel distinction.
distinction. Structural language theoriStructural language theories then say that the creation of words from es then say that the creation of words from morphmorphemes anemes andd phonemes
phonemes lead to the developmenlead to the development t of phrases. of phrases. These phrases, inThese phrases, in turn,turn, create clauses and thencreate clauses and then sentences.
sentences.
Developed b
Developed by Chomsky Chomsky, generative y, generative grammar grammar also has its place in also has its place in our study. our study. StructurStructuralal linguistics explains sentence pattern,
linguistics explains sentence pattern, patterns whicpatterns which are h are useuseddininspeech. speech. However, However, it does notit does not explain the innate a
explain the innate and intuind intuitive nattive nature of languure of language acquisition. age acquisition. We We suppose that prenatalsuppose that prenatal stimulation influence
stimulation influences the mental foundation s the mental foundation of speech. of speech. But how do infants know how to But how do infants know how to makmakee that utterance?
that utterance? four elemefour elements of generatints of generative ve grammar aregrammar are in explaining thisin explaining this process:
process: deep structuredeep structures, phrases, phrase--structure structure rules, transformational rules, transformational rules and surface structure. rules and surface structure. HeHe describes
describes deep structure as a mental sentence deep structure as a mental sentence structure that all humans innately possess. structure that all humans innately possess. In aIn a related paper discussing the auditory stimulation methods developed by Dr. Alfred A.
related paper discussing the auditory stimulation methods developed by Dr. Alfred A. Gilmo
Gilmor r (1989) comments (1989) comments that the voice othat the voice of the mother,f the mother,""...imprints upon the fetus' nervous...imprints upon the fetus' nervous system the structure and rhythm of the language the mother is speaking
system the structure and rhythm of the language the mother is speaking"" 19).19). Listening to the mother's
Listening to the mother's voice is the infant's voice is the infant's stimulus to lestimulus to learning language.arning language. found that the absence or reduction o
found that the absence or reduction of the mother's f the mother's voice during the first days, weeks and monthsvoice during the first days, weeks and months after birth can cause language problems in infants, such as pathological communication
after birth can cause language problems in infants, such as pathological communication apprehen
apprehension, sion, well into their toddler well into their toddler years. years. Thus, the Thus, the mother's mother's participparticipation, through reation, through reading andading and talking to their unborn child, is an
talking to their unborn child, is an important brimportant bridge to postidge to post--natal language development.natal language development. rieonate
rieonate..."..."
Chomsky's
Chomsky's usehlusehl
Tomatis, Tomatis, (p (p Tomatis Tomatis
More in detail, d
More in detail, deep structueep structure is developed throure is developed through phrasegh phrase--structure rules and modifiedstructure rules and modified by transformational rules
by transformational rules passive, active and tenses passive, active and tenses of language). of language). These structurThese structures es and rulesand rules in process, develop a surfac
in process, develop a surface structure which e structure which is the actual utterance of a is the actual utterance of a word, a sensword, a sense of speech.e of speech. It is this utterance of a word tha
It is this utterance of a word that connects stt connects structural linguisticructural linguistics s to generative theory.to generative theory. Assumptions
Assumptions
There are many assu
There are many assumptions related mptions related to the idea that a to the idea that a mother has a role mother has a role prenatally in herprenatally in her child's language acquisition.
child's language acquisition. The first assumption is that a mother can communicate The first assumption is that a mother can communicate with herwith her child while it is still in her womb.
child while it is still in her womb. While While some research some research has been done has been done on a fetuon a fetus's ability to hes's ability to hearar in the womb, we don't know what kin
in the womb, we don't know what kind of effect it d of effect it has on the child.has on the child.
The second assumption is that the findings of the second phase of
The second assumption is that the findings of the second phase of Project Prelearn, whichProject Prelearn, which we intend t
we intend to duplicao duplicate to a certain degree, wte to a certain degree, were accurate. ere accurate. In addition, we assume that the methodIn addition, we assume that the method of research is adequate and comprehensive enough to apply to our study.
of research is adequate and comprehensive enough to apply to our study. The third assumpt
The third assumption is that our study will be generally accepted by profeion is that our study will be generally accepted by professionals inssionals in fields associated with language
fields associated with language acquisition. acquisition. Also, we assume Also, we assume that the findings of our study willthat the findings of our study will be relevant to these
be relevant to these professionals.professionals. The fourth assumpti
The fourth assumption on is that we is that we will be able to provide solid evidencwill be able to provide solid evidence e that that prenatalprenatal communication
communication exercisexercises mes may ay be used to be used to possibly eliminate future communicapossibly eliminate future communication probtion problemslems such as
such as communicacommunication tion apprehension.apprehension. The fifth assumpt
The fifth assumption ion is that there is an interest in this field of study.is that there is an interest in this field of study. The sixth and
The sixth and final assumption is that as communication final assumption is that as communication authoritauthorities, we value our abilityies, we value our ability to communicate
to communicate and speak effectively and would have liked to have learned how to and speak effectively and would have liked to have learned how to do so at do so at aa (i.e.
youn
younger age. ger age. We hope that there is a way to teach chilWe hope that there is a way to teach children to speak competently at a youngerdren to speak competently at a younger age in order to
age in order to help allehelp alleviate some communicatioviate some communication problems.n problems. Limitations
Limitations
Despite all sorts of studies, genetics does provide a natural limi
Despite all sorts of studies, genetics does provide a natural limitation to our study.tation to our study. People are genuinely predisposed to c
People are genuinely predisposed to certain physical deficiencies orertain physical deficiencies or by virtue of theirby virtue of their genetic makeup which can create i
genetic makeup which can create i
nf nfii
nit
nite outcomes. e outcomes. Caution will Caution will have to be have to be taketaken n in interprein interpretingting the results to determine whether the outcome is coming
the results to determine whether the outcome is coming the actual stimulus, a person'sthe actual stimulus, a person's genetics
genetics or a combinaor a combination tion of of both. both. WWe can predict within e can predict within reasonable reasonable certaincertainty that the findingsty that the findings are linked to the stimulus.
are linked to the stimulus. Furthermore, Furthermore, if the extended if the extended study is granted, latent genetic problemsstudy is granted, latent genetic problems may becom
may become a face a factor and skew the earlier results.tor and skew the earlier results. Environmental facto
Environmental factors also limit the outcomes rs also limit the outcomes of our study. of our study. Environmental Environmental factorfactors, suchs, such the air the subject
the air the subjects breathe s breathe or the quality of or the quality of thethewater theywater theydrink,drink,are not controllable bare not controllable but greatlyut greatly impact the health of the mother and the fetus.
impact the health of the mother and the fetus. Abnormalities Abnormalities found due to such environmentalfound due to such environmental factors have been known
factors have been known to cause problemto cause problems to infants is to infants in all sorts of developmental areasn all sorts of developmental areas. . It isIt is unsure
unsureasasto what extent this may or may to what extent this may or may not impact not impact the area of speech develothe area of speech development. pment. Again, weAgain, we may predict with reasonab
may predict with reasonable le certainty that the findings would be linked to the stimucertainty that the findings would be linked to the stimulus.lus. The goals and objective
The goals and objectives s as outlined are limited bas outlined are limited by the amount of research availaby the amount of research available. le. TheThe objectives were created
objectives were created the obvious lthe obvious lack of information ack of information on our topic. on our topic. Recent research, Recent research, thatthat spanning ten years or less, is diffic
spanning ten years or less, is difficult ult to obtain. to obtain. Older studies anOlder studies and research have been completedd research have been completed but are o
but are outdated. utdated. The few current studies The few current studies uncovered uncovered in our process in our process are of good substancare of good substance.e. However,
However, the lack of the lack of studies, in itstudies, in itself, also limits our proposal to the informaself, also limits our proposal to the information we tion we can providecan provide but gives credence to the importance of going forward wi
but gives credence to the importance of going forward with our proposal for furtth our proposal for further research.her research. efficiencies efficiencies fkom fkom fkom fkom
The theoretical construct was limited
The theoretical construct was limited to communication to communication as it relates to speech. as it relates to speech. We do notWe do not ignore the fact that theori
ignore the fact that theories related to message production es related to message production and reception are reland reception are relevant to our topic.evant to our topic. We believe
We believe that speech communicatithat speech communication theories better on theories better shape this proposal. shape this proposal. Before a message canBefore a message can be sent or received, sentences must be put
be sent or received, sentences must be put together and, consequenttogether and, consequently, verbalized. ly, verbalized. BeforeBefore verbalization
verbalization takes place, takes place, generative grammar thgenerative grammar theory provides an explaeory provides an explanation of the innatenation of the innate processes that imply capabil
processes that imply capabilities foities for language from birth.r language from birth. Terms
Terms
communicatio
communication apprehensin apprehensionon a fear of speaking.a fear of speaking. epigenetic vocalization
epigenetic vocalization
--
vocalization after birthvocalization after birth langlanguaguage e acquisitionacquisition
--
refers specifically to speakingrefers specifically to speaking neonatalneonatal
--
newbornnewborn neurological memoryneurological memory a fea fetus of six months develops a central nervous system where it istus of six months develops a central nervous system where it is capable of receiving, encoding and
capable of receiving, encoding and processing messagesprocessing messages novel story
novel story
--
the second control variable in a study done by DeCasper and Spensthe second control variable in a study done by DeCasper and Spense; it is the; it is the storye storyread least often to the fe
read least often to the fetuses of the experimenttuses of the experiment phoneme
phoneme
--
one of the one of the smallest unit of speech that distinguismallest unit of speech that distinguish sh one utterance or word from anotherone utterance or word from another prenatalprenatal
--
the period of the period of pregnancy from conception pregnancy from conception to birthto birth pressure transducerpressure transducer
--
a devia device used to transmit and recoce used to transmit and record external pressure; for the rd external pressure; for the purpose of purpose of this study, this is inserthis study, this is inserted into a nipple to record sucking patterns of infantsted into a nipple to record sucking patterns of infants target story
target story
--
the control variable in a study done by DeCasper athe control variable in a study done by DeCasper and Spence; it nd Spence; it is a story is a story read mostread most to the fetuses of the experimentto the fetuses of the experiment often
stimulation.
stimulation. These are broad categories of developThese are broad categories of development anment and we expect to see chand we expect to see changes inges in language
language acquisitiacquisition on according to Piaget's developmental according to Piaget's developmental stages. stages. Piaget'Piaget's developmental stages,s developmental stages, specifically the sensor
specifically the sensor--motor period, will be used as a guideline to assismotor period, will be used as a guideline to assist in the evalt in the evaluation of theuation of the subjects.
subjects.
Implications of Research Implications of Research
This will
This will be an imporbe an important tant study in the area of study in the area of prenatal language prenatal language acquisitacquisition anion and thed the implications are wide ranging.
implications are wide ranging. Ultimately, wUltimately, we believe that a lifelong comprehensive e believe that a lifelong comprehensive studystudy should b
should be done. e done. 'Baby 'Baby steps' steps' have been have been taken thus taken thus far and somethinfar and something bigger must happen g bigger must happen toto make an impact in thi
make an impact in this fields field
--
--
to make people to make people believe. believe. It muIt must be st be strengthestrengthened. ned. PrenatalPrenatalcommunication i
communication in relation to n relation to language acquisition language acquisition can make a can make a big impact in the scienbig impact in the scientifictific community as we know it and there are studies that atte
community as we know it and there are studies that attest to this fact. The information obtainedst to this fact. The information obtained a longitudinal study may spark other ways
a longitudinal study may spark other ways to enhance a fetus' to enhance a fetus' life before birth.life before birth. How else can one
How else can one positively enhance the development positively enhance the development of a of a human being without the human being without the useuse of genetic splicing or other alteration of some kind
of genetic splicing or other alteration of some kind. . Language Language acquisitacquisition ion and developmentaland developmental problems i
problems in children children have a real possibility of being eliminated with the use of prenataln have a real possibility of being eliminated with the use of prenatal communication.
communication. We We believe believe thatthat iinn the future, prenatal communication will be made just the future, prenatal communication will be made just asas important to a fetus'
important to a fetus' development as physical health recommendatiodevelopment as physical health recommendations ns made by a made by a physician.physician. Studies have proven o
Studies have proven over and over that it provides children ver and over that it provides children an extra tool to leaan extra tool to learning. rning. It evokesIt evokes increased self
increased self --esteemesteemasasthey can articthey can articulate words earliulate words earlier and enter grade scer and enter grade school with higherhool with higher thanthan average language
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