Table 2.

Multi-dimensional Coding Scheme for Word-Referent Transparency Definitions and Examples

	Definition	Example
Linguistic Codes
Referentially transparent noun [N]	A common noun can be identified by a preceding article a/the or plural inflection; it is referentially transparent if it refers to a picture or concrete object in the play environment	Cow[N], spoon/s[N]
Label [L]	Single nouns, noun phrases, or sentences with the linguistic form pronoun + copula + noun phrase	A cow[N], yellow duck[N] That/’s the duck[N] [L]; they/’re spoon/s[N] [L]
Comment [C:S], [C:O]	Simple sentences with declarative word order. Either the noun is the sentence subject, or it is the object of the verb or preposition.	Chicken [N] go/s right there [C:S]. You have a bracelet [N] [C:O]. You put them in the truck [N] [C:O].
Engagement State Codes
Object	Child is actively engaged with an object and manipulates it. This can include holding the object and looking at it. Caregiver and child are not interacting with each other.	Child focused in building a tower with blocks
Supported Joint	Child and caregiver are engaged with the same object, but the child is not actively including the caregiver in the interaction. The caregiver supports the interaction by helping the child shift the focus of attention. The child might look at the caregiver occasionally and briefly but does not display sustained interest in the caregiver. The caregiver can support the interaction by asking, requesting or gesturing.	Child and mother are playing with blocks and she encourages the child’s play by saying, “Can you stack them?” The child places one block on another but does not look at or respond to the mother.
Coordinated Joint	Child and caregiver are engaged with the same object and the child actively and repeatedly acknowledges and includes the caregiver as a participant of the interaction. Child might acknowledge the caregiver as a participant by making repeated eye contact with the caregiver, pointing, gesturing or conversing with the caregiver.	Child and mother are building a tower with blocks together, the child puts on a block looks at the mother and back to the tower, claps and vocalizes while smiling. The mother puts on another block, the child looks at her then to the tower, and back to her then vocalizes and claps again.
Gesture Codes
Deictic	Expressing communicative intent–sharing attention, commenting, requesting (point, give, show)	Point - Pointing to a dog Show - Holding up a ball Give - Extending arm holding a wind-up toy toward their mother to request activating it
Representational	Referring to a referent with or without the physical object	Drink - bring toy cup to mouth Phone - put palm of hand to ear
Conventional	Form and meaning are culturally defined	Shaking head “no”
Ritualized Requesting (child only)	Requesting a wanted item	Reaching or reaching with an open-close hand motion to a wanted toy
Sign Language	Use of American Sign Language or baby sign	Signs, “All done”
Follow-ins
Follow-in Commenting	Talking about the child’s focus of attention without telling the child what to do or directing their behavior	Child puts blocks in a toy truck bed Mother says, “you put them in the truck?”
Follow-in Labeling	Providing the label for the object that is the focus of the child’s attention	Child is holding a puzzle piece Mother says, “that’s a barn?”