How Children and Adults Learn Word Meanings
Semantic Development
['FUNDING_R01'] · OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11172481
This project explores how children and adults learn to organize words in their minds, which helps them understand language.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11172481 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project wants to understand how our brains build a network of words, called semantic organization, and how this helps us understand what people say. Researchers believe that understanding language depends on how well we organize words, and that this organization grows as we hear and learn from language around us. They will work with children aged 4 to 9 and adults, observing how they learn new words and how their ability to connect meanings develops over time. By following children as they grow, the team hopes to see if a stronger word organization truly leads to better language understanding. This work could help us better support language development in young children.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants for this work are children between 4 and 9 years old, as well as adults, who are interested in contributing to our understanding of language learning.
Not a fit: Patients not interested in participating in studies about language development or those outside the specified age ranges may not directly benefit from this particular research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to support language development and comprehension in children and adults.
How similar studies have performed: This project builds on existing knowledge about language acquisition and cognitive development, using novel experimental designs to further our understanding.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY — Columbus, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SLOUTSKY, VLADIMIR M — OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: SLOUTSKY, VLADIMIR M
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 below.