Theoretical Perspectives

1. Behaviorist

1.1. The child is thought as a "blank slate" and learning occurs because of stimuli, and responses in the environment.

1.2. Skinner.

2. Nativist

2.1. The nativist perspective sees humans as being born with an innate ability for language development.

2.2. Chomsky is the main theorist associated with this perspective.

3. Cognitive Developmental

3.1. The cognitive developmental perspective suggests that language is gained as one matures, and as other cognitive functions develop.

3.2. This theory is based on the work of Jean Piaget.

4. Interactionist

4.1. The interactionist theory suggests that children develop language through their attempts to communicate or interact with the world around them.

4.2. Vygotsky