The
importance of the language environment in influencing language outcomes is
well known, but few studies have addressed the contextual factors that
influence the amount of speech heard and vocalizations produced by a young
child under naturalistic conditions. We analyze effects of type of activity
engaged in by the child and time of day on quantitative measures of the
language environment. We found effects of both activity and time of day.
Structured activities generated the highest levels of adult language, but not
necessarily the most child vocalizations. Home and daycare environments
looked overall very similar on these measures, however there were important
differences across the two environments with respect to the specific effects
of activity and time of day.
