Precursors to Speech flashcards

These flashcards cover the essential concepts of precursors to speech, highlighting anatomical, cognitive, motor, and social factors affecting early speech production and development.

What are the key components that develop in infants to support speech production?

Anatomical, sensory, motor, social, and cognitive capacities.

What is the significance of fine and gross motor changes in speech development?

They affect respiratory control, utterance length, and tongue position.

At what age do infants start to reach across the midline?

Between 4-7 months.

What does crossing the midline engage in terms of skills?

Sensorimotor skills on both sides of the brain.

What developmental changes occur to the oral cavity in childhood?

The larynx descends, better airway protection, and the tongue moves more forward.

What is the relationship between gross movement and speech development?

Gross movement often precedes speech; they can occur simultaneously.

How do children with otitis media typically perform in speech development?

They show fluctuating conductive hearing loss and less canonical babble.

What impact does sensorineural hearing loss have on speech development?

It can lead to diminished babble and delays in phoneme discrimination.

Describe the trends in phonetics of cochlear implant users.

They may have delayed phonetic repertoires and atypical speech production patterns.

What can newborns discriminate at birth regarding sound?

They can discriminate languages based on rhythm and show preference for their mother's voice.

What is the concept of categorical perception?

The perception that sounds belong to specific phonemic categories despite existing on a continuum.

How does vision change from birth to 6 months?

Newborns are nearsighted but will gradually expand their visual field.

What is Infant Directed Speech (IDS)?

Exaggerated pitch and slower speech meant to engage infants.

What visual behaviors are noted in infants around 4-8 months?

Shifts in gaze from the speaker’s eyes to mouth.

What does the term 'mouthing' refer to in the context of infant exploration?

Exploring objects by placing them in the mouth, often while vocalizing.

What is meant by 'rhythmic stereotypies' in infants?

Oscillatory and rhythmic movements that precede speech development.

How do babies showcase their sensitivity to linguistic elements?

By distinguishing prosody and phonetic features of their native language.

What important milestone occurs around 12 months regarding visual attention?

Shift of gaze from the speaker’s mouth to their hands.

What is the main benefit of early intervention for children with hearing impairments?

Positive predictors for speech and language development.

What is meant by 'fine motor control' in infants?

The ability to manipulate small objects and achieve precise movements.

Why is oral constriction significant during mouthing?

It enhances sensory exploration and aids in speech development.

What factors affect the development of longer utterances in infants?

Fine and gross motor development, including respiratory control.

How does postural stability relate to speech production abilities?

Improved postural stability allows for better respiratory control and speech.

What is a primary aspect of social engagement in infant communication?

Infant Directed Speech (IDS) helps facilitate social interaction and language learning.

What role does cognitive capacity play in speech production?

Cognitive capacity influences how speech is learned and produced in infants.

Why is the concept of affordances important in object exploration for infants?

It refers to the possibilities for action that objects provide, enhancing learning.

What are the impacts of visual cues on speech development?

They facilitate the ability to understand and produce language.

What specific milestones are important for evaluating speech development in infants?

Canonical babbling, vocal play, and the integration of auditory and visual cues.