Opportunities for the Development of Communicative Competence for Children in an Orphanage in South Africa

Abstract

Orphanage life places children at risk of developmental delay, particularly with regard to speech and language acquisition. The aim of this study was to evaluate opportunities for children in an orphanage in South Africa to acquire communicative competence, by examining adultÁchild and childÁchild interactions and by evaluating the structure and resources of the environment. To meet this aim, the researchers familiarized themselves with the structure and daily functioning of the orphanage, and observed and videorecorded the caregivers and the children. A matrix-based analytic method was used to analyse the data. The analyses revealed chronic deprivation of developmentally appropriate learning opportunities for the acquisition of communicative competence. The caregivers did not use child-directed speech, and were unresponsive to the children as communicative partners. In addition, there was almost no child-to-child language use and almost every child was delayed in the development of communication skills. The environment was well equipped but the children did not interact with a variety of people and did not attend pre-school. Findings are discussed against the framework of the development of communicative competence in non-traditional developmental contexts. In addition, the suggestion is made that caregiverÁchild connectedness, which is fundamental to the development of communicative competence, could be enhanced by caregiver training in fundamental processes of caritas.

Maltreatment and Mental Health in Institutional Care—comparing Early and Late Institutionalized Children in Tanzania

“…Early institutionalized children reported more depressive symptoms, more aggressive behavior and more internalizing and externalizing problems at primary school age. These findings are in accord with research from other countries (Johnson et al., ; Levin & Haines, ; McCall, ) stating that early institutionalized children are highly burdened.…”

“…Research has shown that institutional care can lead to developmental delay and mental health problems in children (Hermenau et al., ; Johnson et al., ; Levin & Haines, ; St. Petersburg–USA Orphanage Research Team, ). To fill the gap in research concerning consequences of institutional care in Sub‐Saharan African countries, we compared early and late institutionalized Tanzanian children regarding adverse childhood experiences over their entire lifetimes in the family of origin and in institutional care and mental health at primary school age.…”

“…Research has shown that institutional care can lead to developmental delay and mental health problems in children (Hermenau et al, 2011;Johnson et al, 2006;Levin & Haines, 2007;St. Petersburg-USA Orphanage Research Team, 2008).…”

Language Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

“…Levin and Haines (2007) examined the language input to children in a multilingual orphanage in Johannesburg, South Africa. In contrast to parental input in traditional settings in the region, as examined in the studies of language socialisation referenced above, paid caregivers in the orphanage did not initiate or respond verbally to children except occasionally to use a child's name or give an instruction, and they did not respond verbally to children's vocalisations.…”

Neuropsychology of Children in Africa

“…Many children, who are affected by HIV or AIDS, either themselves or through the loss of parents, are also in need of intervention. Levin and Haines ( 2007 ) examined the language input to children in a multilingual orphanage in Johannesburg, South Africa. In contrast to parental input in traditional settings in the region, as examined in the studies of language socialization referenced above, paid caregivers in the orphanage did not initiate or respond verbally to children except occasionally to use a child's name or give an instruction, and they did not respond verbally to children's vocalizations.…”