Relationships between Toddler-teacher Joint Attention and Toddlers' Vocabularies

This study was conducted to identify relationships between toddler-teacher joint attention and toddlers' vocabularies. Toddlers' vocabularies were assessed by the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory-Korean (MCDI-K) modified by Kim (2006); joint attention episodes were observed by classification categories for engagement condition (Bakeman & Adamson, 1984). Data were analyzed by means, t-test and Pearson's correlations. Results were that : (1) receptive vocabulary of toddlers was about 1.1 times as high as their expressive vocabulary. (2) Coordinated joint attention was observed most frequently, followed by supported joint attention; coordinated joint attention was closely related to support joint attention. (3) The relationship between toddler-teacher joint attention and toddlers' vocabularies were significant in a positive direction.