title: Nonword-repetition ability does not appear to be a causal influence on children's vocabulary development.
abstract: In the study reported here, we assessed the theory that vocabulary learning in children depends critically on the capacity of a "phonological loop" that is indexed by nonword-repetition ability. A 3-year longitudinal study of 219 children assessed nonword-repetition ability and vocabulary knowledge at yearly intervals between the ages of 4 and 7 years. There was a considerable degree of longitudinal stability in children's vocabulary and nonword-repetition skills, but there was no evidence of any influence of nonword-repetition ability on later vocabulary knowledge. These results seriously call into question the claim that vocabulary learning in children is constrained by nonword-repetition ability, and they cast doubt on the broader theory that the phonological loop functions as a language-learning device.
authors.affiliation: Department of Special Needs Education, University of Oslo.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Melby-Lervåg
authors.forename: Arne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lervåg
authors.forename: Solveig-Alma Halaas
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Lyster
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Klem
authors.forename: Bente
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hagtvet
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hulme
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007804:Language Development; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway; D060865:Repetition Priming / Q000502:physiology*; D014825:Vocabulary