“The Theories of Children’s

Language Development”

Geraldi Fikri Haiqal, Insan Aulia, Laili Noor Ainillah,

Muhammad Rezky Maulana, Muhammad Riyadh Anshori, Nurul Husna
 CONTENTS
Children and Language Behavioral Theory

Nativistic Theory Semantic-Cognitive Theory

Language development
Social-Pragmatic Theory
period
 CHILDREN AND LANGUAGE

Childhood is the most important phase where the language was firsly
planted in one’s brain whether by the childrens’ parents or influenced by
the nature and environment where they lived. Even, it is easier for
children to learn the second language than the adult.

Children can learn new languages relatively easily. In most cases, they
can learn a second or even third language fluently up until the age of
four. Since all the things is playfully learnable. Afterwards, however, it
becomes more difficult.
 • The child is born not carrying any
abilities.
• Children learn language through:
Behavioral o Conditions of the environment
Theory o Imitation of an adult
o Strengthening
o Reward (award)
o Frequency of treatment
• Nativists argue that language is innate and
natural.
• Children's language learning is influenced by:
o The maturity of the brain along with the growth of Nativistic
children Theory
o Biological evolution
o The role of semantics
o Innate: initial knowledge gained biologically
 • The semantic-cognitive theory is a perspective of
language development that emphasizes the
interrelationship between language learning and
cognition; that is, the meanings conveyed by a
Semantic- child's productions.
Cognitive • Children's language learning is influenced by
Theory factors:
o Take an active role in the environment
o The way children process information
o Conclude about the structure of the language
• The social-pragmatic perspective emphasizes the
importance of the communicative partner's role;
the partner's interpretation of what is said defines
the results of the speech act.
• Children learn language due to the various Social-
purposes and functions of language. Pragmatic
Theory
• Children learn language in order to:
o Socialization
o Directing other people's behavior to suit his
wishes
Language Development Period
Prelingual Period (ages
0-1 years)
babbling instead of
communicating with
other people.
Differentiation Period (ages
2.5 - 5 years)
the child's skill in making
differentiation in the use of
words and sentences.
Early Lingual Period (1
- 2.5 years)
the child begins to utter
his first words, even
though they are not
complete
Developments discuss after
5 years of age
children are considered to
have mastered the syntactic
structure in their first
language, so that they can
make complete sentences.
 ……

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