Exploring early childhood language environments: A comparison of language use, exposure, and interactions in the home and child care settings

Purpose: This study was conducted in a large Midwestern metropolitan area to examine the language environments at home and in center-based child care for young children who are living in poverty. We compared child language use and exposure in the home and child care settings using extended observations with automated Language Environment Analysis to gain a deeper understanding of the environmental factors that may affect change in language outcomes for young children.