2026 Undergraduate Research Showcase

Language Exposure and Cognitive Development in Adolescents

Document Type

Student Presentation

Presentation Date

4-24-2026

Faculty Sponsor

Nichole Lasich

Abstract

Early childhood is widely recognized as a critical period for language acquisition due to heightened neuroplasticity, during which the brain demonstrates increased sensitivity to environmental input. This project examines why bilingual exposure during early childhood may significantly influence neuroplastic development. We propose that sustained exposure to multiple languages during this sensitive window is likely to affect the formation, strengthening, and organization of neural circuits involved in language processing and executive functioning. Studies suggest that children who learn two languages early in life often demonstrate stronger executive functioning skills, including improved attention control, cognitive flexibility, and problem-solving abilities. Through analysis of peer-reviewed research in neuroscience and developmental psychology, we aim to evaluate whether early bilingual experience is associated with measurable differences in neural architecture and long-term cognitive performance. We hypothesize that bilingual exposure during this critical period enhances adaptive neural reorganization, potentially leading to improved cognitive flexibility, attentional control, and learning capacity later in life. Overall, this research seeks to clarify how early bilingual environments may shape neuroplastic development during a uniquely sensitive stage of brain maturation.

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