ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND THEIR IMPACTS ON CHILD LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Children’s language development is characterized by the influence of various contemporary factors, such as biological, socioeconomic aspects, digital routines, and lack of stimulation. The objective of this study is to analyze how language in early childhood is influenced by these environmental factors. Methodologically, the work consists of a qualitative study, based on a literature review with articles published between 2020 and 2025 in the SCIELO, PubMed, LILACS, and Google Scholar databases. The results and discussion show that language development involves social, environmental, emotional, and cognitive factors, with the family being the first aspect of this environment. The literature reinforces that the quality of communication in the family environment is crucial; children exposed to environments full of stimuli and interactions mediated by adults tend to expand their vocabulary more rapidly. On the other hand, socioeconomic levels and the education level of caregivers can limit access to quality interactions. Additionally, excessive screen time has become a factor responsible for delays in language acquisition, potentially causing attention deficit and decreased emotional self-regulation skills. It is concluded that the great neuroplasticity in the first years of life makes this phase ideal for early intervention. Early identification of risks, along with family support and speech therapy strategies, establishes na effective means to prevent delays and promote the ideal development of children’s language, allowing children to reach their full potential.