Language Development in Children

These flashcards cover the key concepts of language development as discussed in the lecture.

Pre-linguistic Stage

The stage before children begin using language, where they communicate through gestures and sounds.

Linguistic Stage

The stage when children start using language, characterized by the use of words and phrases to express themselves.

Telegraphic Speech

A form of speech used by young children that comprises a few essential words to convey an idea, typically fewer than five words.

Receptive Speech

The ability to understand language but not necessarily to produce it.

Expressive Speech

The ability to produce language or verbalize thoughts.

Language Explosion

The rapid expansion of vocabulary and speech development that occurs in young children, typically observed between ages 1 and 3.

Nativist Theory

The theory that suggests humans are pre-wired for language acquisition, as proposed by Noam Chomsky.

Behavioral Theory

The theory that language is learned through reinforcement and punishment, as suggested by behaviorists.

Classical Conditioning

A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired, leading to a learned response.

Operant Conditioning

A learning process that employs rewards and punishments for behavior.

Critical Period

A window of time in which language acquisition must occur; if missed, language development may be severely hindered.

Interactionist Theory

A theory that combines both innate biological factors and environmental influences in language acquisition.

Holographic Speech

When children use single words to represent whole ideas, demonstrating an early form of language usage.

Self-talk

When children talk to themselves, typically during play, which is crucial for language development.

Receptive vocabulary

The set of words that a child can understand.

Expressive vocabulary

The set of words that a child can produce and use in speech.

Minnie Wiley

The case study of a child who suffered severe neglect and abuse, demonstrating the impact of environment on language acquisition.

Language Acquisition Device

Chomsky's hypothetical mechanism in the brain that enables humans to acquire language naturally.

Sign Language

A method of communication using visual gestures, which can be learned by both deaf and hearing individuals.

Cognitive Development

The progress of thinking and understanding, which influences language acquisition.

Language Interference

The influence of one language on another, which occurs when a child learns two languages.

Vocabulary Growth

The increase in the number of words a child knows and uses over time.