How do children learn new words and begin using them across different people, places, and situations? In this episode of Beyond Words, host Garrett Oyama, MS, CCC-SLP, talks with developmental psychologist Catherine Sandhofer, PhD, about the fascinating process of word learning and the factors that help children build flexible, meaningful language skills.
Drawing from Dr. Sandhofer’s research, they explore how everyday interactions shape vocabulary development, including the role of caregiver language, contextual cues, memory, and repeated exposure to new words. You’ll learn how children use context to interpret unfamiliar language, why seeing multiple examples supports generalization, and how variation across speakers, settings, and experiences can strengthen learning over time.
They also discuss a common challenge in language development: why children may appear to understand a word in one situation but struggle to recognize or use it in another. This engaging discussion offers valuable insights into how children acquire words, categories, and concepts, with practical implications for speech-language pathologists, educators, and caregivers supporting language growth.
Drawing from Dr. Sandhofer’s research, they explore how everyday interactions shape vocabulary development, including the role of caregiver language, contextual cues, memory, and repeated exposure to new words. You’ll learn how children use context to interpret unfamiliar language, why seeing multiple examples supports generalization, and how variation across speakers, settings, and experiences can strengthen learning over time.
They also discuss a common challenge in language development: why children may appear to understand a word in one situation but struggle to recognize or use it in another. This engaging discussion offers valuable insights into how children acquire words, categories, and concepts, with practical implications for speech-language pathologists, educators, and caregivers supporting language growth.
