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Language Acqu

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Submitted By amilya213
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In your own words, describe the process of language development.
Newborns begin to prepare for verbal communication by recognizing symbols and learning the relationships between objects and signs including the words that coincide. They move from communication by way of gestures to using sounds to form the necessary words. From there they continue to understand meanings, develop vocabulary and learn how to form sentences which is a process that reaches some maturity by the age of four, but continues in some form for many years afterwards.

In what ways do caregivers (and siblings) contribute to language acquisition during toddlerhood?
Parents and caregivers can have a signification impact on early language development. Evidence has shown that children of loquacious parents have two times the vocabulary as those of less talkative parents (Hart, 2000). Language development depends greatly on verbal interactions with adults. Caregivers must talk to their growing children as much as possible, using proper words while also pausing to give them the opportunity to respond (Newman & Newman, 2012; Hart, 2000).
There is also a great importance on verbal interactions with other children including siblings who they often spend the most time with. Research has proven that children learn from their brothers and sisters and that those siblings can play a vital role as language coaches (Dunn, Brown, Slomkowski, Tesla & Youngblade, 1991). Research indicates that older siblings talk differently than mothers in the speech directed at younger siblings (Hoff, 2006). However, it is also the case that siblings who are close in age can interpret meaning for the younger child causing language delays (Cutting & Dunn, 1999).

How do language development and symbolic play differ as strategies the toddler can use for expressing inner feelings and for solving problems?

This is a fabulous process. What lived-experience can you offer to reinforce the more theoretical process you describe?

Cutting, A. L., & Dunn, J. (1999). Theory of mind, emotion understanding, language, and family background: Individual differences and interrelations. Child Development, 70, 853-865.

Dunn, J., Brown, J., Slomkowski, C., Tesla, C., & Youngblade, L. (1991). Young children's understanding of other people's feelings and beliefs: Individual differences and their antecedents. Child Development, 62, 1352-1366.

Hart, B. (2000). A natural history of early language experience. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 20(1), 28-28.

Hoff, E. (2006). How social contexts support and shape language development. Developmental
Review, 26, 55-88

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