3.7 exploring language development

language

system of communication using sounds, grammar, feelings (body language, verbal language…)

critical period

specific timeframe when the brain is most receptive to learning language in early childhood

phonemes

smallest distinct units of sound in a a language that can change the meaning of the word

morphemes

smallest unit of meaning in a language (prefixes, suffixes..)

semantics

study of meaning in language (words, phrases, sentences)

grammar

set of rules deciding how words are combined

syntax

set of rules determining structure and meaning of sentences/phrases/words

cooing

when infants say “oo” and “aa” in early stages of development (2-month old)

babbling stage

infants babble “baba” or “dada” (4-6 months old)

one-word stage

when children use single words to get their point across (age 1)

two-word stage

when children say two words to get their point across (age 2) => “want cookie!” “go car!”

overgeneralization

error in language development where babies apply grammatical rules too broadly- “goed” instead of “went”

nonverbal manual gestures

body gestures (without speaking) to get a point across