Parents used more spatial language at 24 months than at 48 months, an effect attributable to differences in overall talkativeness¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study (2 entries) · associational r3 · q3 · i3 large
Currency · newest study 2025 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i3 Parents used significantly more spatial language at 24 months than 48 months, with a large quantity effect. → Farran 2025 q3 i? Once parent talkativeness was controlled, the timepoint effect was no longer significant. → Farran 2025 (2)

Evidence¶

Farran 2025¶

Farran, E. K., Fink, E., Hughes, C., Gilligan-Lee, K. A., & The NewFAMS team. (2025). Limited sex differences in spatial language in parent-child dyads. Learning and Instruction, 95, 102006. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2024.102006

q3 · i3 · associational · r3

MANOVA (N = 104) showed a timepoint effect, "Λ = .209, F(2, 101) = 191.59, p < .001"; follow-up ANOVAs gave quantity ηp2 = .730 and quality ηp2 = .058, both favouring 24 months.

"A significant effect of timepoint was found; parents used significantly more spatial language at 24 months than at 48 months, Λ = .209, F(2, 101) = 191.59, p < .001."

Farran 2025 (2)¶

Farran, E. K., Fink, E., Hughes, C., Gilligan-Lee, K. A., & The NewFAMS team. (2025). Limited sex differences in spatial language in parent-child dyads. Learning and Instruction, 95, 102006. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.learninstruc.2024.102006

q3 · i? · associational · r3

In the MANCOVA controlling for SES and parent total words, the timepoint effect disappeared ("Λ = .994, F < 1"), while parent total words was a significant covariate (Λ = .450, F(2, 99) = 60.567, p < .001, ηp2 = .556).

"Note, however, that the effect of timepoint was no longer significant Λ = .994, F < 1."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Parent spatial language is concurrently associated with child spatial language at 48 months, explaining substantial variance beyond controls — related
• Parent spatial language at 24 months does not predict child spatial language two years later — related
• Tentative longitudinal interaction: mother spatial language quantity at 24 months relates negatively to boys' but positively to girls' later spatial language quality — related
• Boys and girls show comparable spatial language use at 24 and 48 months during structured DUPLO play — related
• Parents use a greater variety of spatial words (higher spatial language quality) with daughters than sons, regardless of SES or talkativeness — related