Researchers from Laurentian University are currently engaging in a study in Sudbury where they are reading French literature to preschoolers as part of an investigation into effective methods of expanding their vocabulary. Roxanne Bélanger, a speech language pathologist at Laurentian, explained that the focus is on introducing young children to more complex “tier 2” words, such as “outrageous,” that are not commonly used in their daily language.
Bélanger emphasized the importance of explicitly teaching these words by providing explanations and definitions, citing research that shows a strong grasp of such vocabulary leads to improved academic performance. Chantal Mayer-Crittenden, another speech language pathologist at Laurentian involved in the study, highlighted the unique aspects of this research compared to similar studies in the United States.
Unlike studies in the U.S., where children are typically older when they start preschool, Laurentian’s study targets children aged between two and a half and four years old. Additionally, the study specifically focuses on French-speaking children in a predominantly English-speaking community. Mayer-Crittenden noted the significance of understanding how to support French-speaking children with language delays in such environments.
Both Bélanger and Mayer-Crittenden expressed the ultimate goal of the research, which is to provide valuable insights to parents and early childhood educators. They emphasized the intention to share their findings to benefit other children learning French in minority language settings, particularly in enhancing their vocabulary through book reading.