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Cited by 9Language Development and DisordersSleep and Wakefulness ResearchReading and Literacy Development

Systematic Review of the Effects of Sleep on Memory and Word Learning in Infancy

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Belia, Margherita, Keren‐Portnoy, Tamar, Vihman, Marilyn·2023·Language Learning
DOI 10.1111/lang.12544
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Abstract

This systematic review surveyed research on the associations between sleep and the memory processes involved in word learning in infancy. We found only 16 studies that addressed this topic directly, identifying associations between infant sleep and the memory processes, the identification of word forms in running speech, and the stabilization and generalization of new word form–meaning associations. Some studies investigated changes in brain responses after word learning and in sleep parameters during postlearning sleep. Others investigated the long‐term effects of sleeping patterns on later vocabulary development. All but one of these studies identified positive associations between sleep and word learning in early childhood, extending similar findings from studies on adults and school‐aged children. However, there remain several gaps in the current research on early lexical development and sleep. Future investigations should address these gaps for researchers to better understand lexical development and to create links between memory and language acquisition research.

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  • Sleep facilitates memory encoding, consolidation, and associative processing, with slow-wave sleep and spindles playing critical roles.

    “Looking across the systematic reviews identified it is clear that sleep facilitates memory encoding, consolidation, and associative processing, with slow-wave sleep (SWS) and spindles playing critical roles [13,23].”

    From Sleep and memory consolidation in healthy, neurotypical children, and adults: a summary of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. (2023) · cites this paper as [13]

    In “The Role of Sleep in Learning and Memory” (page not provided), the review describes sleep-related consolidation and integration of memories and a theory in which spindles during slow-wave sleep drive memory replay. It does not establish that sleep facilitates initial encoding, and “Electrophysiological Activity and Memory Performance” (page not provided) notes an alternative account that questions an active role for spindles in infant consolidation. The claim therefore presents a debated mechanism as settled. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Keren-Portnoy, T., Vihman, M. M., DePaolis, R. A., Whitaker, C. J., & Williams, N. M. (2010). The role of vocal practice in constructing phonological working memory. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 53(5), 1280-1293. https://doi.org/10.1044/1092-4388(2009/09-0003) · DOI
  2. Menn, L., Schmidt, E., & Nicholas, B. (2013). Challenges to theories, charges to a model. In M. M. Vihman & T. Keren-Portnoy (Eds.), The emergence of phonology (pp. 168-214). Cambridge University Press.

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Authors
Belia, M., Keren‐Portnoy, T., & Vihman, M.
Affiliations
University of York (GB)
Corresponding author
Belia, Margherita
ORCID
Venue
Language Learning
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2022-11-15
Volume
73
Issue
2
Pages
613-651
ISSN
  • 0023-8333 (ISSN-L)
  • 1467-9922
DOI
10.1111/lang.12544
OpenAlex
W4309112455
Cited by
9
References
76
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 1
FWCI
0.31
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
Language Learning (publishedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Economic and Social Research Council (ES/P000746/1)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Language Development and Disorders
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Reading and Literacy Development
Keywords
infant sleep, word learning, memory, vocabulary development, running speech, sleep parameters, brain responses, language acquisition

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