Working memory and vocabulary development in Greek preschool and primary school children

Abstract

Abstract The present research investigated the relative contributions of verbal short-term memory (STM) and working memory (WM) to vocabulary development in the early years among Greek-speaking children. Participants were 5.5-, 7.5-, 8.5- and 9.5-year-old (N = 216) native speakers of Greek, a language differing from English in which most investigations have been conducted. Children were assessed with a receptive vocabulary task, four verbal STM measures (word, digit, and non-word list recall, as well as word list matching), and three verbal WM tasks (listening, counting, and backward digit recall). Results offer support to the view that both STM and WM influence vocabulary development in early stages. Vocabulary was associated with verbal STM at 7.5 and 8.5 years, but only with verbal WM at 5.5 years. Associations declined with age (by 9.5 years), earlier than in English-speaking children. Findings are discussed in relation to Greek language characteristics, demonstrating the importance of cross-cultural investigations. Keywords: ChildrenVerbal short-term memoryVerbal working memoryVocabulary development Additional informationNotes on contributorsElisavet Chrysochoou We would like to thank Professor Ianthi-Maria Tsimpli and Dr Pascale Marguerite Josiane Engel for making very helpful comments on earlier drafts of this paper.