Exploring how Spanish-speaking Latino children's early language environments affect their bilingual development
Official title: Spanish-speaking Latinos' Early Language Environments and Dual Language Development
Funded at Loyola University of Chicago · NIH-10730519 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the language experiences of Spanish-speaking Latino kids at home help them learn two languages and improve their reading skills, so we can find better ways to support their learning and success in school.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Loyola University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | January 24, 2019 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $436,088 |
| NIH project number | 2R15HD097589-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10730519 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are Spanish-speaking Latino children aged 0-11 years who are exposed to bilingual environments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not Spanish-speaking or who are outside the age range of 0-11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the early language environments of Spanish-speaking Latino children to understand how these environments influence their bilingual development and reading skills. By examining various sources of language input, including interactions with primary caregivers and overheard language, the study aims to identify key factors that support successful bilingual trajectories. The findings will inform interventions and policies designed to enhance the academic well-being of Latino children, particularly in the context of economic challenges and educational disparities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved educational strategies and resources that support bilingual development in Latino children, ultimately enhancing their reading skills and academic success.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding language input in bilingual environments can significantly impact language development, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Loyola University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gamez, Perla B. — Loyola University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Gamez, Perla B.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Modeling how proteins pick their metal partners
A grant to help understand how proteins choose the right metal ion to work properly inside our bodies.
-
Designing new iron-based catalysts for carbonyl-olefin metathesis
A scientist team is designing smarter iron-containing catalysts to enable carbonyl-olefin metathesis in making medicinal compounds.
-
Molecular role of PhLP3 in human sperm production
A science team is studying a protein called PhLP3 to understand how it affects human sperm development and male fertility.
-
How Spanish-speaking Latino children's language environments affect their bilingual development
This study looks at how talking with family and hearing conversations around them helps Spanish-speaking Latino kids learn two languages, and it aims to find the best ways to support their bilingual growth.
-
Imaging liver cancer metabolism using advanced technology
This study is exploring a new way to take pictures of how the liver works, especially for people with liver cancer, using a safe and non-invasive method that could help doctors better understand and treat liver diseases.
-
Understanding how the brain organizes sound frequency processing
This study is looking at how certain molecules in the brain help organize the way we hear different sounds, using special mice to learn more about this process, which could eventually help people with hearing problems.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.