Oral Motor and Gesture Abilities Independently Associated With Preschool Language Skill: Longitudinal and Concurrent Relationships at 21 Months and 3–4 Years

Purpose Early motor abilities (gesture, oral motor, and gross/fine skills) are related to language abilities, this is not due an association with cognitive or symbolic abilities: Oral skills uniquely associated at 21 months of age. It important determine whether motor–language relationship continues beyond the earliest stage development understand acquisition better predict which children may have lasting difficulties. Method In longitudinal study, we assessed comprehension production, skill, meaningless manual gesture ages 3 years ( N = 89) 4 71), comparing contribution skill earlier (at age) ability. We also examined covariates: nonverbal ability, socioeconomic status, stimulation in home as measured on Home Screening Questionnaire. Results Motor continue a significant independent other factors preschool years. Meaningless were still age; these relationships explained by abilities. Conclusions Relationships between early persist into factors, nor This finding should lead understanding origins