theoretical perspectives
by Bonnie Crowe
1. interactionist
1.1. "The interactionist perspective focuses on the primary role of sociocultural interaction in children's development of language knowledge" (Otto. Language Development in Early Childhood, 3rd Edition. Pearson Learning Solutions p. 33).
1.2. Basically:children learn new language by interacting with the world around them in their family, culture, friends, community, etc.
1.3. Theorist: Vygotsky
2. Behaviorist
2.1. "The behaviorist perspective emphasizes the role of “nurture” and considers learning to occur based on the stimuli, responses, and reinforcements that occur in the environment." (Otto. Language Development in Early Childhood, 3rd Edition. Pearson Learning Solutions p. 31).
2.2. Theorist:
2.3. Basically:A child starts out blank and learns things as they are taught to them through the environments and reinforcement.
3. nativist
3.1. "The nativist perspective emphasizes inborn or innate human capabilities (i.e., “nature”) as being responsible for language development." (Otto. Language Development in Early Childhood, 3rd Edition. Pearson Learning Solutions p. 27).
3.2. Theorist: Linguist Noam Chomsky
3.3. Basically nature is the main component in learning language in individuals.
4. cognitive developmentalist
4.1. "The emphasis of this perspective is that language is acquired as maturation occurs and cognitive competencies develop." (Otto. Language Development in Early Childhood, 3rd Edition. Pearson Learning Solutions p. 30).
4.2. Theorist: Jean Piaget
4.3. Basically as we mature we learn and aquire more language building on our cognitive development.
