International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development

search-icon

From Interaction to Expression: Examining the Role of Teacher–Child Engagement in Shaping Preschoolers’ Vocabulary Development

Open access
This study investigates the influence of teacher-child interaction on preschoolers’ expressive vocabulary development in early childhood settings. It is guided by Vygotsky’s Sociocultural theory, where the study examines four key dimensions of teacher-child interaction: frequency of teacher-child interaction, quality of language modeling, instructional language strategies, and teacher responsiveness. A quantitative survey design was conducted with 98 preschool teachers. Pearson correlation analysis showed a significant positive analysis relationships between all the dimensions of teacher-child interaction variables and expressive vocabulary development. The findings from the study highlight the crucial role of rich, responsive, and intentional language practices in supporting children’s vocabulary growth. Lastly, the study provides insights that strengthen the language instruction in preschool classrooms.
Anders, Y., Rossbach, H.-G., Weinert, S., Ebert, S., Kuger, S., Lehrl, S., et al. (2012). Home and preschool learning environments and their relations to the development of early numeracy skills. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 27(2), 231–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2011.08.003
Blocker, M. (2017). Vocabulary matters: Why vocabulary instruction is important and how to implement quality instruction in preschool. University of Northern Iowa.
Campbell, F., Conti, G., Heckman, J. J., Moon, S. H., Pinto, R., Pungello, E., et al. (2014). Early childhood investments substantially boost adult health. Science, 343(6178), 1478–1485. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1248429
Chall, J. S., Jacobs, V. A., & Baldwin, L. E. (1990). The reading crisis: Why poor children fall behind. Harvard University Press.
Curby, T. W., LoCasale-Crouch, J., Konold, T. R., Pianta, R. C., Howes, C., Burchinal, M., et al. (2009). The relations of observed pre-K classroom quality profiles to children’s achievement and social competence. Early Education and Development, 20(2), 346–372. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409280802581284
Dickinson, D. K. (2011). Teachers’ language practices and academic outcomes of preschool children. Science, 333(6045), 964–967. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1204526
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. Child Development, 82(3), 870–886. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2011.01576.x
Eteng, O. (2022, May 18). Quantitative data analysis: Methods & techniques simplified 101. HEVO Data. https://hevodata.com/learn/quantitative-data-analysis/
Giagazoglou, P., Papadaniil, M., Rekleiti, M., Moraiti, T., & Tsikoulas, J. (2012). The effect of institutionalization on psychomotor development of preschool-aged children. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 33(4), 964–970. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2011.12.002
Gratier, M., Devouche, E., Guellai, B., Infanti, R., Yilmaz, E., & Parlato-Oliveira, E. (2015). Early development of turn-taking in vocal interaction between mothers and infants. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, Article 1167. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01167
Henriksen, B., & Haastrup, K. (1998). Describing learners’ lexical competence across tasks and over time: A focus on research design. In K. Haastrup & A. Viberg (Eds.), Perspectives on lexical acquisition in second languages (pp. 61–95). Lund University Press.
Hjetland, H. N., Lervåg, A., Lyster, S. A. H., Hagtvet, B. E., Hulme, C., & Melby-Lervåg, M. (2019). Pathways to reading comprehension: A longitudinal study from 4 to 9 years of age. Journal of Educational Psychology, 111(5), 751–763. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000321
Hoff, E. (2014). Language development (5th ed.). Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Huttenlocher, J., Vasilyeva, M., Cymerman, E., & Levine, S. C. (2002). Language input and child syntax. Cognitive Psychology, 45(3), 337–374. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-0285(02)00500-5
Jamal Mohammed, M., Salniza, M., & Sany Sanuri, M. (2018). The effect of family, peer behavior, saving behavior, and spending behavior on financial literacy among young generations. International Journal of Organizational Leadership, 7(3), 309–323.
Justice, L. M., Petscher, Y., Schatschneider, C., & Mashburn, A. (2011). Peer effects in preschool classrooms: Is children’s language growth associated with their classmates’ skills? Child Development, 82(6), 1768–1777. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2011.01665.x
Klibanoff, R. S., Levine, S. C., Huttenlocher, J., Vasilyeva, M., & Hedges, L. V. (2006). Preschool children’s mathematical knowledge: The effect of teacher “math talk.” Developmental Psychology, 42(1), 59–69. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.42.1.59
Laufer, B. (1998). The development of passive and active vocabulary in a second language: Same or different? Applied Linguistics, 19(2), 255–271. https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/19.2.255
Laufer, B., & Goldstein, Z. (2004). Testing vocabulary knowledge: Size, strength, and computer adaptiveness. Language Learning, 54(3), 399–436. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0023-8333.2004.00260.x
Balakrishnan, K., & Sathiakumar, J. A. (2026). From Interaction to Expression: Examining the Role of Teacher–Child Engagement in Shaping Preschoolers’ Vocabulary Development. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 15(2), 1790–1805.