Observing language development in four-year-old children during peer play

¶ … Dialogue between Child Peers (Age 4)

This child-study report involves two-4-year-old girls. Ivana and Angelica are both Hispanic and attend a local Child Development Center in a nearby urban community. There are 12 other children in the class (either Hispanic, African-American, or biracial). Two instructors, referred to as Mrs. H and Ms. Debra, facilitate the class. Mrs. H is Hispanic and at times converses with the children in Spanish. Ms. Debra is Caucasian. English is the dominant language of instruction in the class.

Two 15 minute observations were conducted during a one hour morning session. The first 15 minutes were free activities. This was followed by a short teacher-directed music and dance activity, also 15 minutes in length. During the free activities period, both Ivana and Angelica enjoyed coloring at a small table. When the dance lesson began both girls continued to play together as "partners."

Date of Observation: October 1, 2012 Time Begun: 9:00 A.M. Time Ended: 9:45a.m.

Observation 1: [9:00 A.M. - 9:15 A.M.]

Both girls decide to move to the art area and color. Ivana quickly tires of this activity and begins to outline her hand on a clean piece of white paper with an orange crayon.

Angelica: What are you doing?

Ivana: I can do my hand like this.

Angelica: When you do that one, then you can do it again in blue…and then red…and then green…all colors.

Ivana: I want to do right hand and left hands. This is orange.

Angelica: How many you get? If you do all colors, it come out real pretty.

Ivana: I'ma do orange. You do this one (handing her a pink crayon).

Angelica: Ok. I'ma do pink. (pause) And another one and then some more.

Ivana: You know what? You can try…you can do feet too. Do toes.

Angelica: Why? Do your hand! (both girls giggle)

Ivana: My hand is littler than your hand.

Angelica: That's cuz…because you are smaller to me. I'm tall.

Angelica: I'ma give mine to my momma.

Observation 2: [9:15 A.M. - 9:30 A.M.]

Ms. Debra announces that it is time to find a partner for the music and dance lesson. Ivana and Angelica stay together for the next activity. The song "Raindrops" begins on a CD player. The girls giggle and chatter as they follow the examples of Mrs. H and Ms. Debra.

Ivana: Let's twirl around.

Angelica: Do this with your arms. (mimics teacher)

Ivana: She has the stick. You need the stick to be the leader. (pointing to Mrs. H)

Angelica: No you don't!

Ivana: Unh-hunh.

Angelica: I know this dance. Just like last time. I like this one.

Ivana: I like to dance too.

Angelica: Do your hair like this…like me (demonstrates whipping her ponytails)

Ivana: I can do that. (following suit)

Angelica: That makes my head hurt.

Ivana: Then do this (demonstrates rolling her hips in a circle)

Neither girl is following the dance instruction. As they are shushed and brought back to the lesson, they grow quiet and fully participate with the class.

Findings