AGE, GENDER AND SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS INFLUENCES ON PHONOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN FROM 3 TO 6 YEARS OF AGE

This study approaches phonological development in children from the natural phonology theory, focusing on the possible impact of age, socioeconomic status (SES), and gender. The sample total consisted of 360 children (176 female subjects and 184 male subjects) exhibiting normal language development and ranging from 3 to 6 years of age. The sample was split in four different groups of 90 subjects each considering a between-groups age factor (3.0-3.11; 4.0-4.11, 5.0-5.11 and 6.0-6.11) and within group SES factor (30 lower-middle class children, 30 middle class children and 30 upper-middle class children). The phonological simplification processes was scored using the TEPROSIF-R. The analysis showed that a) as children move from age 3 to age 6 they display a significant tendency to suppress phonological simplification processes in their productions, b) SES generates a significant distinction between children, especially when comparing lower-middle class children with upper-middle class children, and c) gender does not impact in the observed frequency of phonological simplification processes.