Overview Cognitive development Core knowledge Language development and domain interactions

Piaget's Sensorimotor stage 0-2 years Object Permanence The understanding that objects and persons continue to exist even when they cannot be seen (8-12 mos.) A-not-B error, perseverance

Object permanence Examples

Baby math…Really? Infants’ understanding of number Wynn studies and limitations: Can 5-month-olds really add and subtract? 1 + 1 = 1 vs. 1 + 1 = 2  

Baby math…Really?  

Baby math…Really? Can 5-month-olds really add and subtract? Simpler explanation: Familiarity vs. Core Knowledge Common and parsimonious!  Recent studies claim large number computations (5+5 & 10-5)…but similar concerns

Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development ZOPD: range in which child can almost perform task independently can definitely perform with help Cognitive development proceeds from social interaction, working together to solve problems   Scaffolding: support for learning/problem solving that encourages independence and growth, implications for education…

Children’s Drawings Important vehicle of symbolic expression In every culture where children are given the opportunity to draw, drawing appears to pass through the same sequence of stages   Children’s Drawings before age 3: 1. Scribble: not as concerned with the "look" of the product as with the enjoyment of moving their hands

Three perspectives Nativist Behaviorist Interactionist

Three perspectives Nativist (Chomsky) Innate, brain-based LAD Universal rules common to all languages Evidence? Newborn sensitivities Similar milestone sequence Unique to humans Sensitive period

Three perspectives Behaviorist (Skinner) Operant conditioning/reinforcement Imitation Evidence? Numerous examples of conditioning, reinforcement, imitation of language Your examples?

Three perspectives Interactionist (NxN) e.g., information processing e.g., social interaction Evidence? Cognitive processing models (statistical learning, prototype formation) Nativism + social learning of complex grammar Language experiences , bidirectional influences

Three perspectives? DOMAIN INTERACTIONS!

The example of Genie

Human language Three major accomplishments: Semanticity = words serve as symbols Productivity = infinite generativity Displacement = communicate about things in another time/place

Human language Infants and toddlers: Early Preverbal = babbling, crying, gestures One word “Dada” Later 2 words (telegraphic speech) “Mama get.” Nouns then verbs (Ball, throw) Simple sentences: “Aidan likes juice.”

Language development: Gestures Common, useful, natural pre-language communication mechanism (e.g., pointing) Current trends: Baby Signs Research suggests it is helpful, but not likely to either make baby more advanced or to harm language development when used in moderation Primary benefit: Clearer communication between adults and infants, reduced frustration

Language development: Speech sounds and early experience Early experience with native language, begin with broad discrimination ability Perceptual narrowing: loss of discrimination ability by 12 months based on early language experience Examples: Hindi (da, da), Japanese (r)

Language development events and research Baby Einstein, Disney, and TV Baby Einstein-No! Talking to vs. with children, responsiveness & variation sets Non-stop chatter and Chinese-language news? Scaffolding options that work

Language development Found locked in her bedroom age thirteen with the stature of a 7-year-old From 20 months: malnourished, isolated to confinement, locked to a potty chair during the day, strapped to her bed at night. Father forbade his wife and son to speak to her. She lived in almost total isolation. When Genie was found, she had endured 13 years of sensory and social deprivation in the solitude of her bedroom. She had not yet learned to speak. Genie never recovered basic social/emotional, cognitive, language function etc.

Language development The case of Genie Significance of domain interactions Social, cognitive, physical, language development e.g., Upcoming: Aggression = Cognitive X Social