ERIC Number: ED341288
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1991
Pages: 7
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Special Features in Children's Conversations.
Karjalainen, Merja
In a study of features that seem to be typical of children's conversations, 10 Finnish preschool children's conversations were videotaped and audiotaped over a period of 10 hours. The children were taped in conversation, play, fairy tale, and eating situations. Among the findings are that all children enjoy playing with language, but some initiate the playing more frequently than others and some are eager to continue. Also, some want to play but stop when the playing begins to get too dangerous, frightening, or impossible. Most of the playing with language is found to be social, including the use of colorful descriptive words, word variety through rhythm or intonation, rhyming, and language containing something dramatic. It is concluded that a child's resources extend beyond the phonological and lexico-grammatical means; gesticulation and movement play an important role in communicating a child's intentions. Contains 6 references. (LB)
Publication Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Finland
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A