Characteristics of speech production and lexical use in toddlers: A play environment with a dog compared to a play environment with a doll
Background: Environmental factors play a role in early speech and language development, as reflected in the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) framework. While research has traditionally focused on child-internal processes, less attention has been given to how play environments shape vocal production, speech intelligibility, and lexical development. In particular, dynamic contexts such as dog interaction may create unique opportunities for movement, engagement, and communication.
Aim: This study examined how play context (dog vs. doll) influences speech production and lexical development in 22 Hebrew-speaking children aged 2;0–3;0. A total of 821 utterances were analysed across vocal production, speech intelligibility, and lexical diversity.
Method/approach: Twenty-two typically developing Hebrew-speaking children (aged 2;0–3;0) were observed during two home play contexts: play with a dog and play with a doll. A three-minute segment from each condition was transcribed. A total of 821 utterances were analysed across vocal production, speech intelligibility, and lexical diversity. The research approved by the College Ethics Committee (Approval No.: 202037-ONO-2024).
Results/findings: Compared with doll-play, dog-play elicited longer vocalisations, more utterances and syllables, greater lexical diversity, and more verb use. No significant differences were found in intelligible or unintelligible words, although phonological processes were more frequent during dog-play.
Conclusion: Play environments actively shape early speech and language development. Dog-inclusive contexts promote increased vocal output, greater lexical diversity, and more flexible speech production, alongside increased phonological variability. This variability may reflect adaptive learning under dynamic conditions rather than reduced performance. These findings highlight the importance of considering human and physical environmental factors within the ICF framework and support the use of varied, movement-rich contexts to expand communicative opportunities in early development.
Implications for children and families: When you create varied play experiences, you support your child’s communication and language development.
Implications for practitioners: When you assess and support children’s speech and language, consider how play environments, including dynamic contexts such as dog interaction, shape performance, and use these contexts to align environmental features with goals such as intelligibility, lexical use, and vocal output.
Keywords: speech and language development, physical environment, ICF framework, dogs as a developmental context, play environments, early childhood
This presentation relates to the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: