Private speech
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Private speech is speech spoken to oneself for communication, self-guidance, and self-regulation of behaviour.[1][2][3] It is between the ages of two and seven that children can be observed engaging in private speech.[1][2][3] Although it is audible, it is neither intended for nor directed at others.[4][5] Private speech was first studied by Lev Vygotsky (1934/1986) and Jean Piaget (1959); in the past 30 years private speech has received renewed attention from researchers.[6] Researchers have noted a positive correlation between children's use of private speech and their task performance and achievement,[7][8][9] a fact also noted previously by Vygotsky.[2] It is when children begin school that their use of private speech decreases and "goes underground".[10]