Unit 1870: Language and Literacy Development

1. Introduction to Language Development

• Fundamental Concepts
  • Definition of language development
  • Key milestones in language acquisition (babbling, first words, two-word stage, complex sentences)
• Theories of Language Development
  • Nativist theories (Chomsky’s Universal Grammar)
  • Learning theories (Behaviorism, Skinner)
  • Interactionist perspectives (Vygotsky, Bruner)
• Nature vs. Nurture Debate
  • Genetic predispositions
  • Environmental influences
  • Interaction of innate abilities and experience

2. Phonological Development

• Acquisition of Speech Sounds
  • Stages from cooing to babbling
  • Transition to producing recognizable words
• Phonological Awareness
  • Awareness of sound units (syllables, onsets, rimes)
  • Developmental progression
• Phonemic Awareness
  • Identification and manipulation of phonemes
  • Importance for later reading success

3. Vocabulary Development

• Mechanisms of Word Learning
  • Fast mapping
  • Overextension and underextension
• Stages of Vocabulary Growth
  • Early vocabulary (nouns, verbs)
  • Vocabulary explosion
  • Word learning strategies (context clues, morphological analysis)
• Promoting Vocabulary Growth
  • Interactive reading
  • Dialogic reading and conversation
• Socioeconomic Factors
  • Impact of home literacy environment
  • Language exposure differences
  • Intervention strategies

4. Grammar and Syntax Development

• Learning Grammar Rules
  • Acquisition of syntax patterns
  • Morphological development (e.g., plurals, tense)
• Stages of Grammatical Development
  • Telegraphic speech
  • Complex sentence formation
• Role of Input and Interaction
  • Child-directed speech
  • Social interaction and scaffolding

5. Literacy Development: Pre-Reading Skills

• Foundational Skills
  • Print awareness (understanding print conventions)
  • Phonological awareness (rhyming, segmenting)
  • Letter knowledge (recognition, naming)
  • Concepts about print
• Supporting Pre-Reading Skills
  • Shared book reading
  • Environmental print exposure
  • Literacy-rich environments

6. Literacy Development: Reading Skills

• Stages of Reading Development
  • Decoding (phonics skills)
  • Fluency (speed, accuracy, expression)
  • Comprehension (literal and inferential understanding)
• Reading Strategies
  • Predicting
  • Summarizing
  • Questioning
• Fostering a Love for Reading
  • Diverse and culturally relevant texts
  • Encouraging independent reading

7. Literacy Development: Writing Skills

• Stages of Writing Development
  • Scribbling and drawing
  • Letter-like forms
  • Invented spelling
  • Conventional writing
• Fine Motor Skills and Writing
  • Role of hand-eye coordination
  • Activities to develop motor skills
• Supporting Emergent Writing
  • Writing opportunities in play
  • Positive reinforcement
• Fostering Positive Attitudes
  • Celebrating writing efforts
  • Integrating writing with reading skills

8. Bilingual and Multilingual Language Development

• Challenges and Benefits
  • Cognitive advantages (executive function, metalinguistic awareness)
  • Potential delays and differences in language milestones
• Code-Switching and Language Mixing
  • Definitions and examples
  • Functional use in communication
• Impact on Cognitive Development
  • Enhanced problem-solving skills
  • Greater cognitive flexibility

9. Cultural and Societal Influences on Language and Literacy Development

• Cultural Beliefs and Practices
  • Storytelling traditions
  • Family literacy practices
• Influence of Diverse Cultural Backgrounds
  • Language use variations
  • Multimodal literacy practices
• Supporting Diversity in Language Development
  • Culturally responsive teaching
  • Valuing home languages and dialects