Communication skills predict social-emotional competencies

• Low preverbal communication skills predict delays in social-emotional competencies toddlerhood. do not and behavioral problems Communication development are closely interconnected. Studies have shown that many children with early language difficulties also as well problems. It is unclear if these conditions causally related, they share a common underlying etiology, or there bidirectional effects. investigating associations mostly involved who already using words to communicate, but it important know whether any effects on associations. The aim of the present study was examine between verbal infancy subsequent ensuing role background factors known influence examined. sample consisted 395 (51.6% boys) from Finnish Steps Study cohort. Language assessed at age 13 months ( + 1 month) MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory for Infants (CDI-I), domain < 17 Brief Infant–Toddler Social Emotional Assessment (BITSEA). lower gestural receptive had higher risk toddlerhood than better skills, elevated results indicate can competencies, which has been found be factor later monitor provide guidance parents supporting pragmatic infancy, needed.