Learning from the children of Jamaica

Karla and Sharynne

The main purpose of our visit to Jamaica has been to document young Jamaican children's speech and language skills. Dr Karla Washington (University of Cincinnati, USA) and I have been assessing 3- to 6-year-old children's speech and language skills. During the two hour assessments the children complete activities with Karla in Jamaican Patois (Jamiekan) and with me in English. One of the research aims is to document these young children's ability to code-switch between the two languages. We have used the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health as the framework for our research so are also incorporating measures to consider the whole child. The children arrive at school at 7:30am and although school finishes at 1:30pm, some do not leave until after 4pm when their parents are finished work, so we have been able to work with the children throughout the day. It has been such a pleasure to spend time with and learn from these wonderful children.

A language assessment in Jamaican

A speech assessment in English

The children drew themselves talking