Exploring Real-Time Word Learning Skills and Its Related Factors in Preschool Children: An Eye-Tracking Study

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the real-time word learning processing aspects of children in each group by classifying groups according to their actual vocabulary acquisition performance (offline processing data) in QUIL (Quick incidental learning). We compared whether there was a significant difference between the QUIL offline and online processing data of the two groups, and finally we attempted to explore whether QUIL offline and online processing data had a significant correlation with children’s working memory. Methods: Thirty-three children [21 with TD (Typically developing children); and 12 with SLI (Children with specific language impairment)] aged 3- to 6-year-old participated in this study. K-mean cluster analysis was conducted to create new groups based on QUIL offline scores, and to examine children’s online word learning processing. To analyze the children’s word learning process with an eye-tracker, the animations recorded with narration were shown to the children through a computer with an eye-tracker attached. Results: There was a significant difference between the two clusters at the third exposure condition in online data (fixation duration). In addition, there was a significant correlation between QUIL online processing and linguistic WM (Working memory) in cluster 1, and between QUIL offline scores and nonlinguistic WM in cluster 2. Conclusion: When new vocabulary is exposed for cluster 2, it can be inferred that the efficiency of vocabulary acquisition will be improved if visual information is intensively combined with language information.