How children's surroundings influence their language development
Official title: The Role of Environmental Context in Early Semantic Network Development
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-11076330 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the places where toddlers learn new words, like different rooms in their home, can help them connect those words better, so we can understand how they build their vocabulary.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $37,535 |
| NIH project number | 5F31HD115328-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11076330 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are in the process of acquiring language skills.
✕Less likely to help
Children who are not in the early stages of language development or those with significant language impairments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the environments in which toddlers learn words affect their ability to form connections between those words. By examining the contexts in which children encounter objects and words, such as different rooms in a house, the study aims to understand how these experiences help children organize their vocabulary into meaningful networks. The research will involve observing toddlers as they interact with various objects and words in different settings, providing insights into their language acquisition process.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance strategies for supporting language development in young children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that environmental factors can influence language acquisition, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Breitfeld, Elise C — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Breitfeld, Elise C
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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.