Language Development

Catalog description

This course promotes students' understanding of typical and atypical language development in the first eight years of life. The language learning process (oral, written, involving one language or bilingual/multilingual ) is studied as an integral part of the development of thinking and development of the child's sense of self in home and community settings, including school. Students learn how factors such as age, sex, diverse abilities, cultural experiences, and cross-linguistic relationships if pertinent, influence language competence and performance. Alternative communication systems for young children are explored. The role of play-particularly with language itself and in conversations with adults, peers, and siblings-in fostering language development is examined. Students learn how group experiences, well- chosen children's literature, along with responsiveness to and alignment with the language and literacy practices of families and communities, may be used to maximize language and literacy development.