Module 4: Language Development

Question 1

Explain Chomsky’s Theory (start with what it is called)

Answer 1

Chomsky’s THEORY ON LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT says that language is biological! We all have a part of our brain called the L.A.D. or Language Acquisition Device that makes it so we are born with the ability to speak and learn our language. We also have Universal Grammar–all languages use universal grammar which proves it is biological

Question 2

Explain Skinner’s theory of language development. What is Skinner known for?

Answer 2

Skinner is known for operant conditioning! This means using positive reinforcement (adding something as a reward). Speaking “Motherese” is an example of operant conditioning to a baby, when their babbling is positively reinforced, they are motivated to do it again, and again, and again.

Question 3

Name the 3 key processes that help children learn language according to Skinner

Answer 3

1. Imitating: copying others (we see someone ask for an apple and get it, so we ask for the apple in the same way)
2. Prompting: when someone else prompts our response (they see that we want the apple, so they say, “do you want the apple?”)
3. Shaping: the person affirms and refines our response (parent says, “yes, it’s an apple, do you want it?… basically they add more words so we can learn)

Question 4

Explain Vygotsky’s Sociocultural approach to language development

Answer 4

We learn a language when we’re in the ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development) with and MKO (More Knowledgable Other) providing us with scaffolding.

Question 5

List the stages of language development, the ages, and the expectations associated

Answer 5

1. Babbling (6-8 months): know which sounds get attention, produce sounds, recognize sounds
2. Holophrastic (9-18 months): know one-word phrases, over generalize, distinguish sounds and words
3. Two-Word phase (18-24 months): Know about 50 words, then have a “word-spurt” and learn more and more words. Beginning to understand language “rules”
4. Telegraphic (24-30 months): Learn about 10 new words every day, understand what they hear, may not know how to form COMPLETE sentences, and may struggle to pronounce certain sounds (Rs, Ls, Ys, etc)