How emotions affect early language learning in children
Official title: Characterizing the role of affective information in early word learning using observational and experimental designs
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-10901497 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the feelings and moods of caregivers, especially those dealing with depression, can affect how young children learn to talk, and it aims to help us understand the best ways to support their language development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2024 |
| Project end | August 4, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $73,408 |
| NIH project number | 1F32HD115513-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10901497 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years, especially those who have caregivers experiencing depressive symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Children who do not have any emotional or developmental challenges may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the emotional environment of children influences their language learning during early development. By observing interactions between children and their caregivers, particularly those with depression, the study aims to understand how different emotional cues impact children's ability to learn words. The research employs a combination of observational methods and advanced computer analysis of videos to capture the affective context of learning events. Ultimately, the goal is to identify how these emotional factors contribute to variations in language development and overall well-being in children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for supporting language development in children, particularly those from emotionally challenging environments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that emotional factors significantly influence language acquisition, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nencheva, Mira L. — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Nencheva, Mira L.
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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.