How bilingual exposure affects language development in toddlers born preterm
Official title: Bilingual Exposure Following Preterm Birth: Toddler Language Outcomes and Cumulative Risk Factors
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-10667768 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how being exposed to both Spanish and English affects the language skills of toddlers who were born very early, comparing them to toddlers who only speak one language, to better understand how different experiences help or hinder their language development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | September 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $443,100 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD109725-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10667768 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Spanish-English bilingual toddlers and monolingual toddlers who were born very preterm.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not bilingual or were not born preterm may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of bilingual exposure on language development in toddlers who were born very preterm. It aims to assess the language skills of Spanish-English bilingual toddlers compared to monolingual toddlers, focusing on vocabulary and general language abilities. The study will consider various environmental and neurological factors, such as the quality and quantity of language exposure, to understand how these elements influence language outcomes. By using specialized language measures designed for bilingual children, the research seeks to provide a clearer picture of language development in this at-risk population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help ensure that bilingual exposure is recognized as beneficial for language development in toddlers born preterm.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that bilingual exposure does not negatively impact language skills, suggesting that this approach is supported by existing evidence.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vaughn, Kelly a — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Vaughn, Kelly a
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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.