The Development of English and Spanish Among Children in Immigrant Families in the United States El desarrollo de inglA(C)s y espaA+-ol de niA+-os en familias inmigrantes en los Estados Unidos

The findings of this longitudinal study of 2 1/2 - 5-year-old children from immigrant Spanish-speaking families living in southern Florida contribute to our understanding of how children's language develops. This study showed that children exposed to two languages trailed monolinguals in the rate of single language development. It also indicated more language growth results when children hear language from native speakers. The researchers found evidence that simply attending preschool is not enough for language growth; the quality of language the preschool provides is key. Lastly, the study found that continuing development in the home language does not impede acquisition of English. The authors discuss practices that are consistent with their findings.