Visual signals and the communication abilities of children

Author(s): Kent, G.

Journal/Book: J Child Psychol Psychiat. 1996; 37: The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford, England OX5 1GB. Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd. 949-959.

Abstract: The communication abilities of children of differing ages (4-, 6-, and 11 years) were compared. The children performed two communication tasks and were interviewed in both face-to-face and audio-only contexts. While older children adapted to the loss of visual signals the younger age groups did not and their communication suffered. It appears that a significant amount of information which young children transmit occurs in a nonverbal format, and that visual signals are less demanding for young listeners. Such findings have implications for professionals working with young children since they show the importance of addressing both the child's visual signals and one's own.

Note: Article DohertySneddon G, Univ Stirling, Dept Psychol, Stirling FK9 4LA, SCOTLAND

Keyword(s): communication; visual; gesture; audio-only; ROUTE DIRECTIONS; PERFORMANCE; KNOWLEDGE; TELEPHONE; GESTURE; SPEECH; TASK

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