Research progress on the impact of statistical learning on  early language development in children

LING Han; HONG Tian

doi:10.11852/zgetbjzz2025-0322

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Chinese Journal of Child Health Care ›› 2026, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (2) : 206-211. DOI: 10.11852/zgetbjzz2025-0322

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Research progress on the impact of statistical learning on early language development in children

LING Han, HONG Tian

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Abstract

Statistical learning refers to the human capacity to extract statistical information from continuous speech streams to acquire language, involving both visual and auditory modalities and is associated with specific neural mechanisms in the brain.Research indicates that early statistical learning ability is closely linked to children's acquisition of phonology, vocabulary, and grammar.Deficits in this ability are observed in children with language impairments such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental language disorder (DLD), and developmental dyslexia (DD), contributing to difficulties in language comprehension and expression.Based on previous studies and clinical applications, statistical learning tasks can serve as early screening tools.Additionally, intervention strategies related to statistical learning, such as repetitive language input and multisensory engagement training, can effectively enhance the language abilities of children with language disorders.This article reviews the impact of statistical learning on early language development in children and its applications in clinical and child healthcare settings.It provides a scientific basis for the early identification and intervention of language development issues and offers insights for future clinical practice.

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statistical learning / children / language development / language disorders

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LING Han, HONG Tian. Research progress on the impact of statistical learning on early language development in children[J]. Chinese Journal of Child Health Care. 2026, 34(2): 206-211 https://doi.org/10.11852/zgetbjzz2025-0322

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