The children were between 2.8 and 3.2 years
of age and used intentional communication acts at entry into the study (e.g., conventional
gestures, a few single words). Table 1 summarizes the intake characteristics of the children.
The characteristics of the children’s parents are summarized in Table 2. The mothers
ranged in age from 27 to 38 years of age. One mother had completed a 2-year
postsecondary diploma while two mothers had completed university degrees. One child
was raised in a single-parent family and two children were raised in two-parent families.
All mothers were employed outside the home on a full-time basis. Only two fathers were
involved in their children’s care and both were also employed full-time