How Spanish-speaking Latino children's 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-11090020 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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 | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $248,691 |
| NIH project number | 3R15HD097589-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11090020 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are Spanish-speaking Latino children aged 0-11 and their caregivers.
✕Less likely to help
Children who are not exposed to bilingual environments or who do not have Spanish-speaking caregivers may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how different sources of language exposure, such as interactions with caregivers and other family members, influence bilingual language development in Spanish-speaking Latino children. It focuses on understanding the role of cultural values in shaping these interactions and the types of language input children receive. By examining both direct communication and overheard speech, the study aims to identify effective strategies for fostering bilingualism in young children. The research will involve observing and analyzing language interactions in natural settings to gather insights on promoting healthy language outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance bilingual language development in Latino children, leading to better academic outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that rich language exposure significantly benefits language development, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
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.
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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.