AUTHOR=Gonzalez Claudia L. R. , Li Fangfang , Mills Kelly J. , Rosen Nicole , Gibb Robbin L. TITLE=Speech in action: degree of hand preference for grasping predicts speech articulation competence in children JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology VOLUME=5 YEAR=2014 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01267 DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01267 ISSN=1664-1078 ABSTRACT=

Highlights: Degree of lateralization for grasping predicts the maturity of the language production system in young, typically-developing children.

In this report we provide compelling evidence for the relationship between right hand grasp-to-mouth (i.e., feeding) movements and language development. Specifically, we show that children (4–5 years old) who are more right-hand lateralized in picking up small food items for consumption show enhanced differentiation of the “s” and “sh” sounds. This result suggests that left hemisphere control of hand-to-mouth gestures may have provided an evolutionary platform for the development of language. The current investigation presents the exciting possibility that early right hand-to-mouth training could accelerate the development of articulation skills.