Coaching caregivers to use language facilitation strategies with their children has been documented as an effective approach to support children’s communication development (Roberts & Kaiser, 2011). However, the majority of this research has been conducted with White, non-Hispanic families, limiting equitable access to culturally and linguistically appropriate early language interventions for Latine children. This study explores changes in caregiver strategy use and child language ability over time, strategies used consistently by caregivers regardless of child language ability, and activities frequently used to sustain child engagement. This will help us understand the dynamic and bidirectional interactions that promote language development.  This study is part of a larger dataset (n=20) examining caregiver strategy use in naturalistic environments with their children who have language delays. For this portion of the study, we will analyze two families who also participated in an earlier pilot study. Children were 18-20 months old at the first timepoint and 41-43 months old at the second timepoint. 

We predict that caregivers will consistently use strategies such as modeling, asking questions, praising, and imitation, but they will also expand the variety and frequency of these strategies at the second timepoint. In addition, we expect to observe a more sustained language interaction between the caregiver and children. This research is foundational for adapting a caregiver-implemented early language intervention for this population, so that child language interventions can expand beyond White non-Hispanic families and towards more representative communities.