Assessment of cognitive linguistic skills in Malayalam speaking children

Abstract

Understanding the relationship between cognition and language is critical for assessing normal child development. However, studies investigating cognitive-linguistic abilities of young children are limited in the Indian context. The present study assessed the developmental pattern of cognitive-linguistic abilities in Malayalam-speaking children. Forty children aged 4–8 years (equal number of males and females) participated, selected from regular schools in Kerala, India. ‘Cognitive Linguistic Assessment Protocol for Children in Malayalam’, comprising tasks in attention, memory, and problem solving, was administered. Findings revealed age-related improvement in all domains. Performance on memory tasks was comparatively lower than attention and problem-solving domains. The results indicate a progressive developmental trend in cognitive-linguistic abilities among Malayalam-speaking children, which could support early identification and intervention for children with delays.