We are looking for Canadian mothers* of 18- to 24-month-old infants who primarily speak English to their child. 

• The data we gather will be compared with data gathered from other English-speaking countries (i.e., England, UK). 

"Do you want some cake?" How do you ask your friend, neighbour, or colleague this question?  Now, ask the same question to a 2-year-old. Do you talk to the toddler the same way you talk to your peer? There are different ways to talk to others - most of the time, you will talk to another adult in the same register. That is, a register is how you talk to others. You will talk to a child, toddler, or even a 6-month-old baby differently than you would to an adult. We can call it child-directed speech, or infant-directed speech, depending on the age of the child. 

In many languages around the world, child/infant-directed speech typically includes higher and lower tones, slower speech, shorter sentences, and words like "doggie", "moo-cow", or "choo choo". In English, we use these characteristics. However, there are many dialects of English - e.g., Australian, Newfoundland English, Northern Ireland, Scottish, Boston, etc. 

Our study focuses on two dialects of English. Specifically, Canadian English and West Midlands English in the UK. We have already finished our UK phase of the study, and we are currently looking for Canadian mothers with children between the ages of 18- to 24-months. We are interested in finding out whether English-speaking Canadian and UK mothers use the same characteristics in their child-directed speech.

*This study is specifically for mothers. Fathers are not included only because the variability of vocal pitch. Other studies include any caregiver.  

If you are interested or have questions, please email us at magpies@ualberta.ca or you can sign up for the ChIRP list, and we will contact you when there is a study available. 

Please note that our lab is located at the University of Alberta North Campus.

Purpose

• • The data we gather will be compared with data gathered from other English-speaking countries (i.e., England, UK). 

  • The purpose of this study is to determine how mothers’ speech to her infant provides us clues to what infants might find interesting and possibly learn!

Participants

• • We are recruiting Canadian mothers of 18- to 24-month-old infants who primarily speak English to their child. 

Duration

• • A visit at the Little Magpies lab typically takes about 1 hour. Within that time, we invite you settle in our reception area while we explain the study, the procedure, and ask any questions. Completing the study itself will take approximately 20-40 minutes depending on breaks needed for snacks, washroom, etc.

Procedures

• • If you choose to participate, we will record your voice while you speak to your child. 

  • Mothers should have Canadian English as a first language or learned English as a child. 

  • You will be asked to read 6 short stories paired with a picture to your child. 

  • We encourage you to you engage with your child while reading as you normally would at home!

    Also!

• Let us know if you bring a sibling so that we can entertain your child during the study.

• We have a large washroom (unisex) with changing table.

• If you like, you can bring small snacks to the lab (e.g., Cheerios, oranges, apples, cookies). Please avoid peanut or tree-nuts (sesame seeds, coconuts are fine - members of our lab team have nut allergies).