Shs 120 - Final Paper

SHS 120

Final Reflection Paper

04/20/14

Final Self Reflection

Parents always expect their children to be clever and graduate from a famous brand university. The language development of their children is the first step to achieving this goal. In fact, the first 0~4 years are a critical period for language development. During this period, parents make every effort and try any feasible method to ensure the greatest amount of language development for their children. In the scenario, my close friends are one of dozen parents who have 20- month-year old children. Like all other parents, my friends are happy, but anxious with the growth of his child. Based what I have learned in class, I will explain Tom’s typical language development at different stages. I will also illustrate several ways to improve Tom’s language development and some notes. Moreover, I will discuss the effectiveness of different software and videos which promise to accelerate the children’s language development. Finally, how reading to a child can enhance language development will be explored.

There are varied ways to accelerate Tom's communication development Environment stimulus is one of dozens. In fact, this option comes up with a big argument in academic field—nature versus nature, which plays a more important role on children’s language development. In my opinion, nurture is more crucial. Behaviorist Vygotsky and BF skinner believe that the child develops language due to nurture. The child develops language due to environmental exposure. This idea is supported by Genie’s example. Genie was unfortunate that she was put in “solitary confinement” up till she was 13 years old. Although linguist tries to teach her to speak, it is difficult for her to talk like a normal teenage girl, since she missed the critical period in the early years of a child that exists for learning language, either spoken or tactile. According to Chomsky’s Nativist theory, Genie has the inborn ability to acquire and...