What does CDS stand for in the context of child communication?

The term "CDS" in the context of child communication stands for Child-Directed Speech. This concept refers to a special way of speaking that adults typically use when communicating with young children. It often includes a higher pitch, exaggerated intonation, slower tempo, and clearer articulation. These characteristics help capture a child's attention and facilitate language acquisition. Child-Directed Speech is crucial for promoting language development as it is often more engaging for children, allowing them to better perceive the sounds and structures of language.

The other options do not accurately represent the widely recognized term used in language development research. For instance, Child-Driven Speech is not a commonly used term in linguistics or early childhood communication studies. Similarly, Conversational-Directed Speech and Community-Directed Speech do not align with established terminology in this area. Thus, understanding CDS specifically as Child-Directed Speech is vital for comprehending its role in encouraging language skills in young children.