\"The behaviorist perspective\" turns from nature to nurture considering young children to be a \"blank slate\" when it comes to learning. The theory realizes on the foundation that the child will gain knowledge and information from the variety of \'stimuli, responses, and reinforcements\" that present themselves with the environment. Learning takes place when a child begins to make connection between these occurrences or events and responses accordingly. Addressing this to language acquisition, a child gains knowledge and information in regards to verbal and language skills as they are seen, heard, and experience throughout their environment, thus triggering connection or associations. Reinforcement responses then become critical as an essential tool to encourage language skills. Referenced as \"operant conditioning” the child takes a very active role in the learning process, as well as, the style of learning involves focused attention, repetition, and approval elements. In other words this perspective relies greatly on the child being developmentally ready to acquire language, as well as being actively involved (Otto, 2010 pp. 31-32).

Theorist B.F. Skinner is the person must associated with this perspective. Skinner\'s most profound research with regard to language acquisition and the behaviorist approach can be found in his book \"Verbal Behaviors\". Contending that with reinforcement children gain and learning from the connections from those stimuli and events within their environment (Skinner, n.d.).

Otto, B. (2010). Language Development in Early Childhood (3ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ. Merrill

Skinner, BF (n.d.). BF Skinner, Behavioralism, & Language Behavior. Retrieved September 9^th, 2011 from, http://www3.niu.edu/acad/psych/Millis/ History/2003/ cogrev_skinner.htm

Theoretical Perspectives and Language Development