Question 1

Compare the following two theories of language development: Nativism as described by Noam Chomsky and cognitive processing theory.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compare the following two theories of language...

Question 2

In their first six months, infants are able to discriminate phonemes that exist in languages that are not in their environment.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that infants are capable of differentiating between phonemes of all languages during their first six months of life, even if those phonemes are not present in the language(s) they are exposed to in their environment. This ability gradually declines as they become more attuned to their specific language(s).

Question 3

Researchers have found that children use certain principles or constraints to figure out what words mean and how to use them. Describe three of these principles.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Researchers have found that children use certain...

Question 4

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders never develop the ability to speak.

Accepted Answer

While some children with Autism Spectrum Disorders may have difficulty with language development, not all of them are nonverbal. Some children on the Autism Spectrum may have delays in language development, while others may have stronger language skills but struggle with social communication or understanding and using nonverbal cues.

Question 5

Systematic training in phonics can improve a child's reading skills if they have dyslexia.

Accepted Answer

Systematic training in phonics has been shown to improve reading skills in children with dyslexia by strengthening their ability to decode words and improving their phonemic awareness. This has been supported by numerous studies and is a recommended intervention for children with dyslexia.

Question 6

Echolalia can be a normal part of language development.

Accepted Answer

Echolalia is the repetition of words or phrases that are spoken by others. It is a common behavior in children who are learning to speak and can be a normal part of language development. Children may repeat words or phrases to practice their language skills and to understand the meanings of new words. However, if echolalia persists after the age of 3 or 4 or is accompanied by other developmental delays or language difficulties, it may be a sign of a more serious condition such as autism spectrum disorder.

Question 7

The process of acquiring emergent literacy skills begins in infancy.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that the process of acquiring emergent literacy skills, such as understanding that words have meaning and print conveys a message, begins in infancy through experiences with language and books.

Question 8

Phonological skills are the best predictors of a child's success in learning to read.

Accepted Answer

Phonological skills include the ability to recognize and manipulate sounds in spoken language. These skills are crucial for phonemic awareness and decoding, which are fundamental for reading development. Therefore, phonological skills are strong predictors of a child's success in learning to read.

Question 9

Frequent texting does not appear to harm an adolescent's ability to spell correctly.

Accepted Answer

According to a study published by the British Journal of Psychology, frequent texting does not appear to have a negative impact on an adolescent's ability to spell correctly.

Question 10

Is there a critical period for language learning after which we are unable to learn language? Give evidence for your opinion.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Is there a critical period for language...

Question 11

Children all around the world learn to use nouns before they learn to use verbs.

Accepted Answer

The order in which children learn nouns and verbs can vary depending on the language they are exposed to. In some languages, verbs may be learned before nouns.

Question 12

How do children who grow up bilingual from birth and attend bilingual education programs compare to children growing up monolingual? Discuss language milestones, later cognitive milestones, school success, and language success as older children and/or adults.

Accepted Answer

The answer of How do children who grow up bilingual...

Question 13

Babies as young as three to five days old sound like the language they have been hearing when they cry.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that babies are able to mimic the prosody, or melody and rhythm, of the language they have been exposed to while crying as young as three to five days old. However, this does not mean that they are actually using words or producing meaningful language.

Question 14

Children who are dyslexic have the greatest problem with comprehending language.

Accepted Answer

Children with dyslexia primarily struggle with reading, writing, and spelling, not with understanding spoken language.

Question 15

Children who learn two languages simultaneously have smaller vocabularies in each language than children who speak one language.

Accepted Answer

Children who learn two languages simultaneously have smaller vocabularies in each language than children who speak one language because they have to divide their attention between two languages, which means they have less time to learn each language.

Question 16

From birth, parents can identify why babies are crying.

Accepted Answer

While parents may become more adept at identifying their baby's cries over time, it is not innate and requires learning and experience. Crying can have a variety of different reasons and it may take time for parents to figure out what their baby needs.

Question 17

Describe the differences in the language environment between infants and young children in low income families as compared to middle or high income families. What are the consequences of these differences? Design an intervention program to promote language development for children in low income families.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the differences in the language environment...

Question 18

Infants who are taught to use sign language have a slight advantage in their early spoken language.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that infants who are taught to use sign language have a slight advantage in their early spoken language development. This is because sign language helps infants communicate their needs and wants earlier, which can encourage language development and reduce frustration. Additionally, learning sign language can enhance cognitive development and strengthen the parent-child bond.

Question 19

Three four-year-olds are sitting at a table coloring. One says, "I have the red crayon." The second one says "I'm making a blue bird." The third one says, "I like coloring." How would Piaget and Vygotsky each explain what is going on?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Three four-year-olds are sitting at a table...

Question 20

Describe the five basic aspects of language that researchers commonly study?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the five basic aspects of language...

Quiz 9: Language Development