title: Speech in action: degree of hand preference for grasping predicts speech articulation competence in children.
abstract: Degree of lateralization for grasping predicts the maturity of the language production system in young, typically-developing children. In this report we provide compelling evidence for the relationship between right hand grasp-to-mouth (i.e., feeding) movements and language development. Specifically, we show that children (4-5 years old) who are more right-hand lateralized in picking up small food items for consumption show enhanced differentiation of the "s" and "sh" sounds. This result suggests that left hemisphere control of hand-to-mouth gestures may have provided an evolutionary platform for the development of language. The current investigation presents the exciting possibility that early right hand-to-mouth training could accelerate the development of articulation skills.
authors.affiliation: The Brain in Action Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Lethbridge Lethbridge, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Claudia L R
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.affiliation: Psychology, University of Lethbridge Lethbridge, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Fangfang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: The Brain in Action Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Lethbridge Lethbridge, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Kelly J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.affiliation: Linguistics, University of Manitoba Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge Lethbridge, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Robbin L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Gibb
keywords: development; grasp-to-eat; hand-to-mouth; language; lateralization