1. Behaviorist
1.1. John Watson
1.1.1. Emphasizes the role of nurture and considers child is a “blank slate" (Otto, 2010).
1.1.2. Learning occurs based on the stimuli, responses and reinforcements that occur in the environment (Otto, 2010).
1.1.3. Communicate verbally through imitation and repetition
1.1.4. Idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning
2. Nativist
2.1. Noam Chomsky
2.1.1. Instinctive or innate human capabilities are responsible for language development (Otto, 2010).
2.1.2. Language Acquisition Device (LAD)
2.1.3. Opportunities to draw and write.
2.1.4. Children learn language due to cognitive structures that process language differently from other stimuli (Otto, 2011).
3. Interactionist
3.1. Lev Vygotsky
3.1.1. "Nature and nurture are inseparably intertwined" (Otto, 2010).
3.1.2. The development of language and the articulation of ideas is central to learning and further development.
3.1.3. Emphasis is on social interactions in which oral and wriiten language are utilized (Otto, 2010).
3.1.4. Instructional scaffolding in the form of modeling, questions, prompts, and cues.
4. Cognitive Developmentalist
4.1. Jean Piaget
4.1.1. Language is developed to express knowledge acquired through interaction with the physical world (Otto, 2010).
4.1.2. Developmental Stages
4.1.3. Language is acquired as maturation occurs and cognitive competencies develop (Otto, 2010).
4.1.4. Emphasis on discovery learning through signs and symbols.