Posted on 10/20/2006 3:00:24 PM PDT by blam
Kids hang on to dad's every word
20 October 2006
From New Scientist Print Edition.
Fathers: watch what you say. It seems dads may have more of an influence on their children's language development than they might think.
Lynne Vernon-Feagans at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and her colleagues sat in on playtime with 92 families with dual incomes, observing how much each parent spoke to their child, the words and sentence structures they used, and the types of questions they asked.
Children whose father's vocabulary was more varied when they were 2 years old had more advanced language skills at age 3. Surprisingly, the dads spoke less and asked fewer questions than the mothers, suggesting it was not how much they spoke but what they said and how they said it that resonated with their children.
(Excerpt) Read more at newscientist.com ...
When the big dog barks, you'd better pay attention!
Darn right. Enough said.
But we can't use a study like this for anything, because it doesn't tie in with certain agendas. Those who think moms and dads are interchangeable won't like a study like this.
ROFLOL! It's nearly Christmas ... can't wait.
Marking
It takes a college professor to tell you that kids learn from their parents? How revolutionary.
My son's language skills were described as "Exceptionally Advanced" at his 18 month checkup when he named off all of the Dr's equipment. How many 18 month old children ask to see the Dr's stethoscope by it's actual name ??
It's just another example of how fathers are inherently important to a kid's development. The result isn't all that surprising, therefore.
On the other hand, it's a quantifiable result -- something that's tough to find in "importance of family" debates.
Of course, it also suggests that if the dad is an utter SOB, the kid is more likely to be a mess...
I have 2 grandsons, same Dad, their language skills are so different. The 5 year old was a very late talker but now corrects us. He has superior language skills. The 3 year old spoke early and at this point is difficult to understand. Go figure.
Drivin’ through town just my boy and me
With a “Happy Meal” in his booster seat Knowin’ that he couldn’t have the toy ‘til his nuggets were gone.
A green traffic light turned straight to red
I hit my brakes and mumbled under my breath.
His fries went a flyin’, and his orange drink covered his lap
Well, then my 4 year old said a 4 letter word
It started with “S” and I was concerned
So I said, “Son, now where’d you learn to talk like that?”
Chorus:
He said, I’ve been watching you, dad ain’t that kool?
I’m your buckaroo, I want to be like you.
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are.
We got cowboy boots and camo pants
Yeah, we’re just alike, hey, ain’t we dad
I want to do everything you do.
So I’ve been watching you.
We got back home and I went to the barn
I bowed my head and I prayed real hard
Said, “Lord, please help me help my stupid self.”
Just this side of bedtime later that night
Turnin’ on my son’s Scooby-doo nightlight. He crawled out of bed and he got down on his knees.
He closed his little eyes, folded his little hands
Spoke to God like he was talkin’ to a friend.
And I said, “Son, now where’d you learn to pray like that?”
Chorus:
He said, I’ve been watching you, dad ain’t that kool?
I’m your buckaroo; I want to be like you.
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are.
We like fixin’ things and holding moma’s hand
Yeah, we’re just alike, hey, ain’t we dad.
I want to do everything you do; so I’ve been watching you.
With tears in my eyes I wrapped him in a hug.
Said, “My little bear is growin’ up.”
And he said, “But when I’m big I’ll still know what to do.”
Chorus:
‘cause I’ve been watching you, dad ain’t that kool?
I’m your buckaroo; I want to be like you.
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are.
By then I’ll be strong as superman
We’ll be just alike, hey, won’t we dad
When I can do everything you do.
‘cause I’ve been watchin’ you.
My dad had a big impact on me. Lucky for me, he's one great guy.
Makes sense to me. Too much yammering from the "better" half.
That is weird, usually the first has very good language skills, while the second one does not, the first one usually inteprets the second. My daughter who is the #2, points at what she wants and then claps... when she is hungry she rubs her stomach, points at the food she wants and then claps.... It's all actions with her, though she can talk and hear.
You misinderstood me. The 1st one spoke very late and we had difficulty understanding him for quite awhile. He calls me BA to this day because Grandma wasn't happening. At 5 he has superior language skills. His younger brother spoke early but at 3 he has a tough time with a lot of his sounds. R's and K's especially. Wouldn't you know his name is Erik! To him, it's Ewit.
Sh*t. I better f*cking stop swearing like a sailor, then, and clean up my f*cking act.
Dad's words?! Heck I even understood what dad meant when he grunted at me. I knew to step lightly.
In my family, mom set the moral standard and dad enforced them. I understood grunts too...and certain looks, lol.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.