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After having worked within the preschool and it’s system for a number of years, we have often reflected over the fact that many educators tend to look at children with language difficulties in several different ways, and many of them being conflicting. Something that might contribute to this problem is the fact that the term itself, language difficulties, is defined differently between individuals, who in turn affects the way educators and preschools deal with the problem. The aim of this study is to create an understanding of the problems related to language difficulties, and how it is being dealt with within the preschool environment. To achieve this we have chosen to work within a qualitative research approach, alongside a discourse analysis. The selection of informants we have chosen consists of ten, qualified educators. Within this study we have collected a variety of descriptions for the term language difficulties, and how these in turn affect the way that children’s language, the typical and the atypical, is developed. As reference material we have chosen to use the paper Med blicken på barnet - Om olikheter inom förskolan som diskursiv praktik, by Palla (2011), and we stick to this theoretical approach throughout the study. Furthermore, we will try to explain the language development of children through developmental psychology and language theories. Through the analysis of the results found in this study, we conclude that the definition and construction of the term language difficulties, varies greatly, but are always seen as correct and true by the individual behind it. This in turn affects the way that educators deal with the children that are affected. In this study, two reoccurring aspects to this have been found, namely, the age of the child, and the responsibility held by the preschool. These aspects seem to be important in forming the image that educators have of the matter, and furthermore shape the way that they value and deal with it.

<p>Generally prosody is described as the rhythmic, dynamic and melodic features of language. Prosody is further often described as suprasegmental, since its properties go beyond vowels and consonants, which are segmental characteristics of language. A relationship between prosody and music has been noticed and described for several decades. At present, there are several studies proving relationship between prosodic and musical abilities.</p><p> </p><p>The aim of the present study was to construct a test for prosodic non-linguistic perception and production regarding intonation and rhythm. The test was tried out on 16 children with typical language development aged 4;6-7;6 years.</p><p> </p><p>Before testing of ITAP each participant were asked about musical experience. For formal assurance that the participants had typical language development a pretesting was performed.</p><p> </p><p>The results demonstrate an even range and therefore the complexity of ITAP seems to be on a representative level. Furthermore, ITAP is viable and the design is advantageous. The results of the present study suggest that both phonological working memory and grammatical ability are related to the aspects of intonation tested in ITAP.</p><p> </p><p>The study contributes to the knowledge about possible relations between prosodic and musical abilities, and it provides guidance on what children with typical language development are expected to achieve on ITAP.</p>

Generally prosody is described as the rhythmic, dynamic and melodic features of language. Prosody is further often described as suprasegmental, since its properties go beyond vowels and consonants, which are segmental characteristics of language. A relationship between prosody and music has been noticed and described for several decades. At present, there are several studies proving relationship between prosodic and musical abilities.   The aim of the present study was to construct a test for prosodic non-linguistic perception and production regarding intonation and rhythm. The test was tried out on 16 children with typical language development aged 4;6-7;6 years.   Before testing of ITAP each participant were asked about musical experience. For formal assurance that the participants had typical language development a pretesting was performed.   The results demonstrate an even range and therefore the complexity of ITAP seems to be on a representative level. Furthermore, ITAP is viable and the design is advantageous. The results of the present study suggest that both phonological working memory and grammatical ability are related to the aspects of intonation tested in ITAP.   The study contributes to the knowledge about possible relations between prosodic and musical abilities, and it provides guidance on what children with typical language development are expected to achieve on ITAP.