Adults' social cues facilitate young children's use of signs and symbols.
Three experiments investigated the effect of an adult's social cues on 2- and 3-year-old children's ability to use a sign or symbol to locate a hidden object. Results showed that an adult's positive, engaging facial expression facilitated children's ability to identify the correct referent, particularly for 3-year-olds. A neutral facial expression and the presence of the adult's hand also facilitated performance, but to a lesser degree than did an engaging facial expression. The effect of the adult's social cues was greater for relatively unfamiliar signs and symbols (replica or arrow) than it was for a more familiar sign (pointing finger). These findings indicate that non-directional social cues such as facial expression help to convey communicative intent and facilitate children's comprehension of signs and symbols.
Leekam
Susan R
SR
Department of Psychology, Durham University, UK. LeekamSR@cardiff.ac.uk
Solomon
Tracy L
TL
Teoh
Yee-San
YS
D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003210:Concept Formation / Q000502:physiology*; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D005868:Gestures; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012932:Social Facilitation; D013561:Symbolism