Theoretical Perspectives

1. Cognitive Development Perspective

1.1. Based on research of Jean Piaget

1.2. Piaget's Stages of Development: Sensimotor, Pre-operational, Operational and Concrete Operational

1.3. Language is developed only when children discover "object permanence"

1.3.1. object permanence: the object is still there, even if you can't see it

1.4. Through the development of schemata that relate objects to their actions, children begin to understand the concept of language

2. Nativist Perspective

2.1. Focuses on the "innate ability" of the human brain to acquire knowledge

2.2. Noam Chomsky's theory says that language follows natural brain structure that is pre-wired for verbal communication/

2.3. Nativist believe there is a "universal grammar" that exists in all languages and exists in the human brain.

2.3.1. universal grammar: symbols, sounds and concepts that exist in all languages

2.4. Pinker theorized since all cultures have languages, it must be innate in human nature.

3. Behaviorist Perspective

3.1. Focuses on the "nurture" side of development

3.2. Considers the child a "blank slate"

3.3. Theorist B.F. Skinner came up with "operant conditioning"

3.4. Skinner says children develop language in response to positive reinforcement from parents and caregivers

4. Interactionist Perspective

4.1. Focuses on sociocultural interactions to develop language

4.2. Vygotsky theorized that language developed in a social setting, along with other higher mental functions.

4.3. Bloom and Tinker developed the Intentionality Model: a) active engagement with others and objects that encourage language denelopment. b) effort on the part of the learner to understand " linguistic, emotional and physical" interactions around them

4.4. based on the idea that children understand concepts such as labeling and sorting before they can express language.