Child Language Acquisition Theories Flashcards
What are the two broad categories of theories explaining Child Language Acquisition?
Nature and nurture theories
How do children learn to talk according to the theories of Child Language Acquisition?
- Without being formally taught
- Incredibly quickly compared to adults
- Even under difficult circumstances
- Seemingly instinctively
What does Skinner’s Behaviourist Theory claim about language acquisition?
Children acquire language by imitating the speech of others and being rewarded for it
What is ‘Operant Conditioning’ in the context of Skinner’s theory?
Behaviour that is spontaneous but the consequences of which will affect the future
What are the two types of reinforcement linked to Operant Conditioning?
- Positive Reinforcement
- Negative Reinforcement
What is a key piece of evidence supporting Skinner’s Behaviourist Theory?
Children often copy words they’ve heard a parent say
What is a case against Skinner’s Behaviourist Theory?
All children acquire language in the same order and at the same rate regardless of parental attention
What are ‘Virtuous Errors’ in Chomsky’s Nativist Theory?
Errors made by children that show they are attempting to apply grammatical rules they have figured out
What is Chomsky’s concept of ‘Universal Grammar’?
The idea that all languages share the same deep structure
What is the critical period suggested by Eric Lenneberg?
The age before which exposure to language is necessary for proper language acquisition
What is the main idea of Piaget’s Cognitivism regarding language acquisition?
Language acquisition is part of a child’s wider cognitive development
What is ‘Object Permanence’ in Piaget’s Cognitive Development theory?
The understanding that objects continue to exist even when out of sight
What does Bruner’s Input Theory emphasize about child-directed language?
It is specifically designed to help children learn language
What is the ‘Language Acquisition Support System’ (L.A.S.S.)?
The support system provided by parents through child-directed language
What is ‘scaffolding’ in Vygotsky’s theory?
The support provided by adults to help children form utterances
True or False: According to Chomsky, children learn language only by imitating adults.
False
Fill in the blank: Children learn to use a language initially to _______.
[get what they want, play games, stay connected to those on whom they are dependent]
What does the term ‘More Knowledgeable Other’ (MKO) refer to?
An adult who supports a child’s learning process
What is one criticism of Piaget’s Cognitive Development theory?
It neglects the social function of language
What is a key observation made by Bruner about interactions with children?
Interactions often use routines and rituals to teach children about spoken discourse structures
What evidence supports Bruner’s Input Theory?
Research suggests that mothers who talk more have children with larger vocabularies
What is a case against Bruner’s Input Theory?
Not all cultures use child-directed speech but their children still learn to speak
What role does the adult play in a child’s language development?
The adult acts as a ‘More Knowledgeable Other’ (MKO) by supporting the child.
The MKO helps the child navigate their learning process.
What is the ‘Zone of Proximal Development’?
The area just beyond what the child can already do.
This concept is crucial for understanding how children learn with guidance.
What features do adult caregivers use in Child-Directed Language?
Features of Child-Directed Language include simplified speech, repetition, and exaggerated intonation.
These features help maintain the child’s attention and facilitate learning.
What is ‘scaffolding’ in the context of language development?
Scaffolding refers to the support provided by adults to help children achieve higher levels of understanding.
This can include hints, encouragement, or modeling language.
How do children benefit from adult interaction?
Children clearly enjoy and benefit from their interaction with adults.
Positive interactions can enhance language acquisition.
How do parents reinforce their children’s attempts to speak?
By responding in an encouraging and positive way.
This reinforcement helps build the child’s confidence and communication skills.
What skills are being modeled and taught through interaction?
Conversation skills and pragmatic awareness.
These skills are essential for effective communication.
Fill in the blank: The MKO helps the child move within the _______.
Zone of Proximal Development.
This zone is critical for effective learning.
