Chapter 1 Beginnings of Communication Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Chapter Highlights A. Prenatal Influences 1. Environment and heredity 2. Mother’s health, nutrition, disease, drugs 3. Mother’s emotional state 4. Birthing process B. Newborns 1. Environment and genetic inheritance 2. Physical characteristics, actions and behaviors, appearance 3. Physical, emotional, social, intellectual needs 4. Caretakers—attitudes, values, language 5. Sensory organs 6. Quality of care—attuned care 7. Families expectations and attitudes Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Chapter Highlights (Cont.) C. Language development theories D. Family beliefs and values 1. Child rearing attitudes & practices E. Developing capacities 1. Brain growth 2. Communication abilities 3. Signaling and signing 4. First words Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Chapter Highlights (Cont.) F. Infant Center Staff 1. Responsive and reciprocal care 2. Individual care 3. Provides opportunity 4. Interactions and language games 5. Books and music 6. Critical partnership with families Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Infant Hearing Loss Hearing loss is often a progressive condition Most but not all newborns are screened for hearing loss Those newborns with mild or moderate hearing loss can exhibit no observable symptoms Undetected hearing loss can result in language deficits in infancy Periodic screening during the first years is recommended Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Objectives In this chapter, we will investigate: Theory of human language emergence Factors that influence language development The reciprocal behaviors of infants and others as they communicate Adult/child play activities The significance of infant signaling Chapter Highlights Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Relevant Theories Behaviorist/environmental Child’s utterances initially random Feedback to child is crucial to language development Key name: Skinner Strategies to enhance language Provide positive reinforcement for child’s communication Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Maturational Theory Children primarily a product of genetics Environmental influences secondary Strategies to enhance language Identifying predictable stages Offering appropriate readiness activities Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Predetermined/Innatist Theory Language acquisition considered innate Individual language acquisitions device (Chomsky) Child possesses special skills as language learner Strategies to enhance language Provide opportunities for language play Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Cognitive-Transactional Theory (1 of 2) Language derives from social and emotional drives Language is learned as way to communicate Teachers help children construct knowledge Key name: Vygotsky Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Cognitive-Transactional Theory (2 of 2) Strategies to enhance learning Ensuring that auditory systems are functioning properly Providing exposure to language-rich environment Asking questions to enhance language Providing vocabulary models to enhance language Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Constructivist Theory Children construct knowledge as they interact with the environment. Internal rules for language are modified by exposure to adult speech. Strategies to enhance language Provide interesting problems and questions Help children put findings into words Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Findings from Brain Research Brain develops from complex interaction between genes and experiences. Early experiences Have impact on architecture of brain Affect the way the brain is wired Prime times exist for acquisition of different types of skills. Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Stages of Vocalization (1 of 3) Stage 1: (birth to 2 months) Reflexive vocalization Crying, fussing Some vowel-like sounds Stage 2: (2-4 months) Cooing and laughing Comfort state vocalizations Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Stages of Vocalization (2 of 3) Stage 3: (4-6 months) Vocal play Changes in volume Changes in pitch Sustained vowels Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Stages of Vocalization (3 of 3) Stage 4: (6 months and older) Canonical babbling Consonant-vowel sequences Word-like utterances Stage 5: (10 months and older) Jargon stage Strings of sounds and syllables with variety of stress and intonations Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Infant Signaling During latter part of first year, child will begin to use signaling gestures. Use of signs continues until verbal communication increases. Signing may spark critical thinking. Research suggests a correlation between number of gestures and later vocabulary. Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. First Words Usually appear around 12 months of age Usually are nouns or proper names First spoken sounds: p, b, t, d, m, n Learn 1 word every 3 days until 18 months Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Toddler Speech Holophrases Single words representing whole idea Language development may be slow while child is learning to walk. Language interaction and interplay continue to be crucial. Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Activities to Enhance Language Baby games and explorations Social play Music Reading to infants Recordings Writing tools Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. Families Can: Give lots of positive attention Provide lots of uninterrupted bonding time Provide objects to explore Provide good nutrition Have confidence in infant handling Positive attention in play Copyright 2016 Wadsworth Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.