Speaker: Samuel Forbes, Durham University

Title: Pointing a way forward for navigating early word learning

Abstract: Infants learn words with great speed, and such apparent ease, that it can be easy to forget the hard work that goes into that process. In fact the infant vocabulary is highly variable, and disruptions to a number of processes can disrupt early word learning, with ramifications for future language learning, literacy and educational attainment. Here I will highlight some recent and ongoing work, where we look at the role of attentional processes and individual differences in word learning, and at the same time highlight how gesture and motor development helps bootstrap the infant vocabulary. I will also discuss the recent methodological advances that may point a way forward in understanding how – and when – infants learn their first words.