communication development in infancy

prelinguistic

approximately the first 12 months of life; the child is not using words but is responsive to language. 

gaze coupling

a type of mutual eye-contact that is very important to caregivers in establishing the original affective bond with the infant.

joint attention

a situation in which two individuals are paying attention to the same thing at the same time.

structured observations

e.g., a communicative temptation task.

proto-imperatives

preverbal attempts used to get an adult to do or not do something.

CDS

child-directed speech

proto-declaratives

preverbal attempts to get an adult to focus on an object or event by showing off, showing or pointing out objects, etc. for the purpose of establishing social interaction or joint attention.

low-structured observations

observe the child during naturalistic interaction to document the presence of communicative

protowords

contain consistent sound patterns that are used in consistent situations but are unique to the child rather than based on the adult language.

intentional communication

any communicative act that an individual engages in purposefully.