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A review and analysis of four measures of early childhood communication development

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Abstract

Communication is one of the most important competencies that children need to develop during early childhood. Delays in communication may lead to a negative impact on children’s life. Early identification of very young children at risk of delays can be the first step for early intervention services, and may prevent future disabilities. An effective evaluation with adequate measures taken can be crucial in the identification of very young children who are at risk of communication delays. However, appropriate measures to assess young children’s early communication skills are lacking in many countries and contexts. The purpose of this review is to analyze some measures to assess infants’ and toddlers’ communication, already developed and tested in countries where the research in this area has been further explored. A literature review was conducted. Four measures were identified and described. Researchers and professionals can use this research to understand these instruments and carefully consider one or two of them for study in their population and contexts. During this review, it is exemplified how a country with a lack of valid and standardized communication measures can make such selection.

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Funding

This work was supported by the Portuguese Funding Agency for Science and Technology (FCT) (SFRH/BD/138965/2018); and the Research Center on Education (CIEd), a multidisciplinary Research Unit of the Institute of Education, University of Minho (UID/CED/1661/2013 and UID/CED/01661/2019).

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  1. CIEd – Institute of Education, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal

    Sandra Ferreira & Anabela Cruz-Santos

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  1. Sandra Ferreira
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  2. Anabela Cruz-Santos
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SF was responsible for collecting, tabulating and analysing the selected articles, and the writing of the article. AC-S was responsible for the orientation, preparation of the project, and approved the final version of the article.

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Correspondence to Sandra Ferreira.

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Ferreira, S., Cruz-Santos, A. A review and analysis of four measures of early childhood communication development. SN Soc Sci 1, 100 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-021-00129-2

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