Individualized Professional Development Program Designed by Speech-Language Pathologists to Increase Vocabulary Strategies in Low Socioeconomic Status Preschools: A Multiple Case Study
preschool teachers; professional development; language development; vocabulary strategies
Abstract :
[en] The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a professional development program designed by speech-language pathologists to increase teachers' use of vocabulary strategies in low socioeconomic status preschools. Specifically, the teachers received a 12-week intervention, individualized in terms of the number and type of strategies taught and the length of training for each strategy. A story reading was used to practice the use of these strategies. Two parameters were evaluated to assess the effectiveness of this program: i) use of the targeted strategies in a trained activity (book reading); and ii) generalization (i.e, teachers' application of the learned strategies to activities not directly trained in the program). To do this, a multiple case study was conducted with five preschool teachers. Following a multiple baseline design, visual analyses and Tau statistics were used. The results show a statistically significant increase in the use of targeted strategies in book reading, with large effect sizes regardless of the teacher or strategy taught. However, despite their mastery in book reading and theoretical information about how to generalize these practices, none of the teachers were able to generalize the use of these strategies to other activities not targeted by the program. The results of this study underline the importance of providing intensive in-situ training programs tailored to teachers' needs, including multiple opportunities for practice in different activities.
Disciplines :
Social & behavioral sciences, psychology: Multidisciplinary, general & others
Author, co-author :
Houben, Lauren ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Logopédie > Logopédie clinique
Bouchard, Caroline
Geurten, Marie ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Psychologie > Neuropsychologie de l'adulte
El Kouba, Edith ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Logopédie > Logopédie clinique ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Unités de recherche interfacultaires > Research Unit for a life-Course perspective on Health and Education (RUCHE)
Maillart, Christelle ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Logopédie > Logopédie clinique ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Unités de recherche interfacultaires > Research Unit for a life-Course perspective on Health and Education (RUCHE)
Language :
English
Title :
Individualized Professional Development Program Designed by Speech-Language Pathologists to Increase Vocabulary Strategies in Low Socioeconomic Status Preschools: A Multiple Case Study
Alternative titles :
[fr] Programme de perfectionnement professionnel personnalisé conçu par des orthophonistes pour augmenter l’utilisation de stratégies soutenant l’apprentissage du vocabulaire auprès d’enfants d’âge préscolaire issus de milieux défavorisés sur le plan socio-économique : une étude de cas multiples
Publication date :
2025
Journal title :
Canadian Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
ISSN :
1913-200X
Publisher :
Canadian Association Of Speech-Language Pathologists And Audiologists, Canada
Volume :
49
Issue :
1
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Development Goals :
4. Quality education 3. Good health and well-being
Akhtar, N., Jipson, J., & Callanan, M. A. (2001). Learning words through overhearing. Child Development, 72(2), 416–430. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8624.00287
Al Otaiba, S., Connor, C., Lane, H., Kosanovich, M. L., Schatschneider, C., Dyrlund, A. K., Miller, M. S., & Wright, T. L. (2008). Reading first kindergarten classroom instruction and students’ growth in phonological awareness and letter naming– decoding fluency. Journal of School Psychology, 46(3), 281–314. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.jsp.2007.06.002
Ambridge, B., Kidd, E., Rowland, C. F., & Theakston, A. L. (2015). The ubiquity of frequency effects in first language acquisition. Journal of Child Language, 42(2), 239–273. https://doi.org/10.1017/S030500091400049X
Anderson, N. J., Graham, S. A., Prime, H., Jenkins, J. M., & Madigan, S. (2021). Linking quality and quantity of parental linguistic input to child language skills: A meta-analysis. Child Development, 92(2), 484–501. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13508
Barnes, E. M., Dickinson, D. K., & Grifenhagen, J. F. (2017). The role of teachers’ comments during book reading in children’s vocabulary growth. The Journal of Educational Research, 110(5), 515–527.
Beck, I. L., & McKeown, M. G. (2007). Increasing young low-income children’s oral vocabulary repertoires through rich and focused instruction. The Elementary School Journal, 107(3), 251–271. https://doi.org/10.1086/511706
Biel, C. H., Buzhardt, J., Brown, J. A., Romano, M. K., Lorio, C. M., Windsor, K. S., Kaczmarek, L. A., Gwin, R., Sandall, S. S., & Goldstein, H. (2020). Language interventions taught to caregivers in homes and classrooms: A review of intervention and implementation fidelity. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 50(1), 140–156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2018.12.002
Brock, M. E., & Carter, E. W. (2013). A systematic review of paraprofessional-delivered educational practices to improve outcomes for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 38(4), 211–221. https://doi.org/10.1177/154079691303800401
Brock, M. E., & Carter, E. W. (2016). Efficacy of teachers training paraprofessionals to implement peer support arrangements. Exceptional Children, 82(3), 354–371. https://doi.org/10.1177/0014402915585564
Brock, M. E., & Carter, E. W. (2017). A meta-analysis of educator training to improve implementation of interventions for students with disabilities. Remedial and Special Education, 38(3), 131–144. https://doi.org/10.1177/0741932516653477
Burke Hadley, E., Barnes, E. M., Wiernik, B. M., & Raghavan, M. (2022). A meta-analysis of teacher language practices in early childhood classrooms. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 59(2), 186–202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. ecresq.2021.12.002
Cabell, S. Q., Justice, L. M., Piasta, S. B., Curenton, S. M., Wiggins, A., Turnbull, K. P., & Petscher, Y. (2011). The impact of teacher responsivity education on preschoolers’ language and literacy skills. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 20(4), 315–330. https://doi.org/10.1044/1058-0360(2011/10-0104)
Chow, J. C., & Wehby, J. H. (2018). Associations between language and problem behavior: A systematic review and correlational meta-analysis. Educational Psychology Review, 30, 61–82. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-016-9385-z
Davidson, M. M., Alonzo, C. N., & Stransky, M. L. (2022). Access to speech and language services and service providers for children with speech and language disorders. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 31(4), 1702–1718. https://doi. org/10.1044/2022_AJSLP-21-00287
Desimone, L. M. (2009). Improving impact studies of teachers’ professional development: Toward better conceptualizations and measures. Educational Researcher, 38(3), 181–199. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X08331140
Dickinson, D. K., & Porche, M. V. (2011). Relation between language experiences in preschool classrooms and children’s kindergarten and fourth-grade language and reading abilities: Preschool language experiences and later language and reading. Child Development, 82(3), 870–886. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2011.01576.x
Dwyer, J., & Harbaugh, A. G. (2020). Where and when is support for vocabulary development occurring in preschool classrooms? Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, 20(2), 252–295. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468798418763990
Fallon, L. M., Collier-Meek, M. A., Maggin, D. M., Sanetti, L. M. H., & Johnson, A. H. (2015). Is performance feedback for educators an evidence-based practice? A systematic review and evaluation based on single-case research. Exceptional Children, 81(2), 227–246. https://doi.org/10.1177/0014402914551738
Fernald, A., Marchman, V. A., & Weisleder, A. (2013). SES differences in language processing skill and vocabulary are evident at 18 months. Developmental Science, 16(2), 234–248. https://doi.org/10.1111/desc.12019
Girolametto, L., Weitzman, E., & Greenberg, J. (2003). Training day care staff to facilitate children’s language. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 12(3), 299–311. https://doi.org/10.1044/1058-0360(2003/076)
Goodman, J. C., Dale, P. S., & Li, P. (2008). Does frequency count? Parental input and the acquisition of vocabulary. Journal of Child Language, 35(3), 515–531. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0305000907008641
Harris, J., Golinkoff, R. M., & Hirsh-Pasek, K. (2011). Lessons from the crib for the classroom: How children really learn vocabulary. In S. B. Neuman & D. K. Dickinson (Eds.), Handbook of early literacy research (Vol. 3, pp. 49–65). Guilford Press.
Hoff, E. (2013). Interpreting the early language trajectories of children from low-SES and language minority homes: Implications for closing achievement gaps. Developmental Psychology, 49(1), 4–14. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0027238
Hreich, E. K., Messarra, C., Martinez-Perez, T., & Maillart, C. (2022). Effects of a professional development program designed by speech-language pathologists targeting the use of vocabulary strategies in preschool teachers: A pilot study. Canadian Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, 46(4), 299–316. https://www.cjslpa.ca/detail.php?ID=1317
Huttenlocher, J., Waterfall, H., Vasilyeva, M., Vevea, J., & Hedges, L. V. (2010). Sources of variability in children’s language growth. Cognitive Psychology, 61(4), 343–365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cogpsych.2010.08.002
Kane, C., Sandilos, L., Hammer, C. S., Komaroff, E., Bitetti, D., & López, L. (2023). Teacher language quality in preschool classrooms: Examining associations with DLLs’ oral language skills. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 63, 352–361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2023.01.006
Kazdin, A. E. (2020). Single-case research designs: Methods for clinical and applied settings (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
LoCasale-Crouch, J., Konold, T. R., Pianta, R. C., Howes, C., Burchinal, M., Bryant, D., Clifford, R., Early, D., & Barbarin, O. (2007). Observed classroom quality profiles in state-funded pre-kindergarten programs and associations with teacher, program, and classroom characteristics. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 22(1), 3–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2006.05.001
Markussen-Brown, J., Juhl, C. B., Piasta, S. B., Bleses, D., Højen, A., & Justice, L. M. (2017). The effects of language-and literacy-focused professional development on early educators and children: A best-evidence meta-analysis. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 38(1), 97–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2016.07.002
McLeod, R. H., Kaiser, A. P., & Hardy, J. K. (2019). The relation between teacher vocabulary use in play and child vocabulary outcomes. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 39(2), 103–116. https://doi. org/10.1177/0271121418812675
Moats, L. (2009). Still wanted: Teachers with knowledge of language. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 42(5), 387–391. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022219409338735
Nation, K. (2014). Lexical learning and lexical processing in children with developmental language impairments. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 369(1634), Article 20120387. https://doi. org/10.1098/rstb.2012.0387
Neuman, S. B., & Cunningham, L. (2009). The impact of professional development and coaching on early language and literacy instructional practices. American Educational Research Journal, 46(2), 532–566. https://doi. org/10.3102/0002831208328088
Peleman, B., Lazzari, A., Budginaitė, I., Siarova, H., Hauari, H., Peeters, J., & Cameron, C. (2018). Continuous professional development and ECEC quality: Findings from a European systematic literature review. European Journal of Education, 53(1), 9–22. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12257
Pentimonti, J. M., & Justice, L. M. (2010). Teachers’ use of scaffolding strategies during read alouds in the preschool classroom. Early Childhood Education Journal, 37(4), 241–248. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-009-0348-6
Pianta, R. C., Howes, C., Burchinal, M., Bryant, D., Clifford, R., Early, D., & Barbarin, O. (2005). Features of pre-kindergarten programs, classrooms, and teachers: Do they predict observed classroom quality and child-teacher interactions? Applied Developmental Science, 9(3), 144–159. https://doi.org/10.1207/s1532480xads0903_2
Pianta, R. C., LaParo, K., & Hamre, B. (2008). Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) manual: Pre-K. Brookes.
Ramsook, K. A., Welsh, J. A., & Bierman, K. L. (2020). What you say, and how you say it: Preschoolers’ growth in vocabulary and communication skills differentially predict kindergarten academic achievement and self-regulation. Social Development, 29(3), 783–800. https://doi.org/10.1111/sode.12425
Rowe, M. L. (2012). A longitudinal investigation of the role of quantity and quality of child-directed speech in vocabulary development. Child Development, 83(5), 1762–1774. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2012.01805.x
Rowe, M. L., Leech, K. A., & Cabrera, N. (2017). Going beyond input quantity: Wh-questions matter for toddlers’ language and cognitive development. Cognitive Science, 41(1), 162–179. https://doi.org/10.1111/cogs.12349
Rydland, V., & Grøver, V. (2024). Parent inferential questions and child responses during shared reading predict DLLs’ receptive vocabulary development. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 22(2), 166–179. https://doi. org/10.1177/1476718X231210637
Schachter, R. E., Gerde, H. K., & Hatton-Bowers, H. (2019). Guidelines for selecting professional development for early childhood teachers. Early Childhood Education Journal, 47(4), 395–408. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-019-00942-8
Schwab, J. F., & Lew-Williams, C. (2016). Language learning, socioeconomic status, and child-directed speech. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Cognitive Science, 7(4), 264–275. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcs.1393
Sembiante, S. F., Yeomans-Maldonado, G., Johanson, M., & Justice, L. (2023). How the amount of teacher Spanish use interacts with classroom quality to support English/Spanish DLLs’ vocabulary. Early Education and Development, 34(2), 506–529. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2022.2039872
Slot, P. (2018). Structural characteristics and process quality in early childhood education and care: A literature review. OECD Education Working Papers, 176. http://doi.org/10.1787/edaf3793-en
Smith, J. D. (2012). Single-case experimental designs: A systematic review of published research and current standards. Psychological Methods, 17(4), 510–550. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0029312
Storkel, H. L., Komesidou, R., Pezold, M. J., Pitt, A. R., Fleming, K. K., & Romine, R. S. (2019). The impact of dose and dose frequency on word learning by kindergarten children with developmental language disorder during interactive book reading. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 50(4), 518–539. https://doi.org/10.1044/2019_LSHSS-VOIA-18-0131
Suggate, S., Schaughency, E., McAnally, H., & Reese, E. (2018). From infancy to adolescence: The longitudinal links between vocabulary, early literacy skills, oral narrative, and reading comprehension. Cognitive Development, 47, 82–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cogdev.2018.04.005
Tarlow, K. R. (2017). An improved rank correlation effect size statistic for single-case designs: Baseline corrected Tau. Behavior Modification, 41(4), 427–467. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145445516676750
van der Wilt, F., van der Veen, C., & Michaels, S. (2022). The relation between the questions teachers ask and children’s language competence. The Journal of Educational Research, 115(1), 64–74. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220671.2022.2 029806
Vuksanovic, J. R. (2015). Relationship between social interaction bids and language in late talking children. International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 17(6), 527–536. https://doi.org/10.3109/17549507.2015.1010579
Wasik, B. A., & Hindman, A. H. (2015). Talk alone won’t close the 30-million word gap. Phi Delta Kappan, 96(6), 50–54. https://doi.org/10.1177/0031721715575300
Wasik, B. A., Hindman, A. H., & Snell, E. K. (2016). Book reading and vocabulary development: A systematic review. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 37(4), 39–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2016.04.003
Zaslow, M., Tout, K., Halle, T., Whittaker, J. V., & Lavelle, B. (2010). Toward the identification of features of effective professional development for early childhood educators: Literature review. Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, U.S. Department of Education. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED527140.pdf