Language Development EBQ AP Psych

Language

A system of communication using symbols, sounds, and grammar to convey through thoughts, feelings, and meanings.

Critical Period

A specific time frame in early childhood when the brain is most receptive to learning language, making it easier to acquire fluency

Phonemes

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

Morphemes

The smallest units of meaning in language, such as prefixes, suffixes, and root words.

Semantics

The study of meaning in language, focusing on how words, phrases, and sentences convey meaning (ex. they’re, their, and there)

Grammar

The set of rules that govern how words are combined to form sentences, enabling clear and meaningful communication in a language

Syntax

The set of rules that determines the arrangement of words and phrases to form sentences in a language, affecting sentence structure and meaning.

Cooing

Early tage of language development where infants produce repetitive, soft vowel sounds like “oo” and “ah”, usually starting around 2 months of age.

Babbling Stage

Phrase in language development, usually starting around 4-6 months, where infants produce repetitive consonent-vowel combinations like “ba-ba” and “da-da”, etc.

One Word Stage

Phase in language development, typically around age 1, where children use single words to represent whole sentences or ideas.

Two-Word Stage

Phase in language deelopment, around age 2, when children start combining two words to form simple sentences like “want cookie: or “go car”

Overgeneralization

Common error in language development where children apply grammatical rules too broadly, resulting in mistakes like” goed” instead of “went” or “tooths” instead of “teeth”

Nonverrbal Manual Gestures

manual gestures are hand or arm movements used to communicate without speaking, such as pointing, waving, or making signs, and often convey emotions, intentions, or directions.

CER Framework: Claim

main argument or position

CER Framework: Evidence

present support for claim through empirical evidence

CER Framework: Reasoning

Explanation of how evidence supports claim