Chapter 5: Language and Literacy

DevelopmentPED 392

Child Growth and Development

DefinitionsLanguage

A symbolic system: a series of sounds or gestures in which words represent an idea, object or person

LiteracyThe ability to construct and express meaning

through reading, writing and discussing texts

Definitions (pg 257)Phonology

The sounds of a language, the rules for combining them to make words, along with stress and intonation patterns.

SemanticsThe meaning of words. (art, rat, tra?)

SyntaxThe way words are combined to form phrases

and sentences in a language (order)

Definitions (Pg 257) cont.Pragmatics

The strategies for using language appropriately in different contexts (rules)

LexiconVocabulary

MetalinguisticsUnderstanding of language as language

(properties)

Critical periodsChildren must acquire a language by a

certain pointWords, vocabulary and sentence structure are

formed by a certain point, meaning that children must not miss portions, or they will not properly acquire the language.

TheoriesBehaviorist – language is learned through

environment (Skinner)Nativist – language is biological (Chomsky)Interactionist (cognitive) – language is

learned through interactions with others and the environment (Piaget)

Interactionist (contextual) – Language is sociocultural – cognitive and environmental (Vygotsky)

Chart (pg 272)0-6 months

Coos and criesRecognizes voices

6-12 monthsBabblesUses voice for attentionWaves bye-bye

Chart (pg 272)12-18 months

First wordsShakes head (yes and no)I, me, you

18-24 months2 word phrasesRefers to self by name50-200 words

Chart (pg 272)24-36 months

3 word sentencesSongs and rhymesConversations400+ words

Multiple languagesBilingual

Speaking 2 languagesMultilingual

Speaking more than 2 languages

Simultaneous BilingualsLearning 2 languages at the same time

Principles of Language development (pg 281-283)Language is a social phenomenonChildren acquire language without direct

instruction and in a relatively short timeAll languages are symbol systems with

socially constructed rules for combining sounds into words for making meaning with words and for arranging words into sentences

Principles of Language development (pg 281-283) cont.Language is so complex, children can not

learn the system all at onceLanguage comprehension generally comes

before language productionLanguage is linked to identity.Language abilities grow by using language in

meaningful contexts

Development of literacy (pg 293)Birth to 3 years

Recognizes book coverPretends to readLabels objects in bookProduces letter-like scribbles

3 to 4 yearsKnows 10 letters of alphabet (usually from name)Understands sequences in storiesShows interest in readingQuestions and comments

Development of literacy (pg 293)Kindergarten age

Retells storiesConnects letters and soundsMatches spoken words with written wordsWrites letters and some words

WritingHandwritingSpelling

Prephonectic – consonants; parts of words (rt for rabbit)

Phonetic – consonants and vowels; match to sounds

Transitional – chunking patternsConventional – conventional patternsAutomatic - memorized

Functionally literateNot able to read or write well enough for

normal daily tasksApplicationsNewspaperPhone book

Must teach people to read and write appropriately

DialectsA variation in a language

Accent is the way sounds are pronounced

Standard American English (SAE)The dialect of the language spoken in schools

English as a Second Language (ESL)TESOL – Teachers of English to Speakers of

Other Language