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The document discusses the complexities of cognitive and language development in children, highlighting various theories such as Behaviorist, Conversation, Universal Grammar, Cognitive, and Monitor Theory. It emphasizes the interplay between innate abilities and environmental influences in shaping language acquisition. Despite advancements in understanding the brain, much about its functions remains mysterious and complex.

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Zybelle Rose Abrea Saycon
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7 views

Untitled Document

The document discusses the complexities of cognitive and language development in children, highlighting various theories such as Behaviorist, Conversation, Universal Grammar, Cognitive, and Monitor Theory. It emphasizes the interplay between innate abilities and environmental influences in shaping language acquisition. Despite advancements in understanding the brain, much about its functions remains mysterious and complex.

Uploaded by

Zybelle Rose Abrea Saycon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Eng10

Isn't it strange? Life after conception is something that’s hard to explain. The brain and its functions have
been identified, yet they remain a mystery to everyone. The saying, “Love the life you are given,” may
sound cliché, but it reflects a profound truth about the human experience. A child, even inside the womb,
can recognize what the mother feels, and the same is true after birth. However, emotional recognition is
not the only thing they are capable of. Day by day, children develop and begin to perceive the world like
any other human, though their abilities are initially limited by their stage of development.

However, their abilities are not limited to emotional recognition. Day by day, they grow and begin to
perceive the world like any other human, though their capacities are initially constrained by their stage of
development.

When it comes to understanding how a child develops cognitively and acquires language, theorists offer
various perspectives. Some argue that a child’s cognitive processes are shaped by their environment,
while others believe these abilities are innate. Many, however, suggest that both innate abilities and
environmental influences play a role in shaping cognitive development and language acquisition.

The Behaviorist Theory, proposed by B.F. Skinner, emphasizes that language acquisition results from
habit formation through stimulus-response-reinforcement. According to this theory, language is learned
through imitation, repetition, and reinforcement. Skinner advocated rewarding children who use language
correctly while discouraging errors. However, this theory has been criticized for overlooking the role of
internal processes and creativity in language use.

In contrast, the Conversation Theory, developed by Jerome Bruner and Lev Vygotsky, highlights the
importance of social interaction in language development. This theory emphasizes scaffolding—support
provided by caregivers—and the role of communication in helping children develop linguistic abilities.
Similarly, Schumann's Acculturation Theory, proposed by John Schumann, focuses on cultural and social
integration, suggesting that successful language acquisition depends on the learner’s immersion in and
acceptance of the target-language community.

The Universal Grammar Theory, proposed by Noam Chomsky, takes a different approach. Chomsky
argued that humans have an innate ability to acquire language due to a language acquisition device in the
brain. This theory suggests that all languages share a common underlying structure, known as universal
grammar, and that language learning is guided by inborn rules, not purely by environmental influences.

Similarly, the Cognitive Theory by Jean Piaget aligns with Chomsky’s theory in acknowledging innate
mechanisms but adds that stages of cognitive development play a critical role in influencing linguistic
abilities. According to Piaget, a child’s cognitive development shapes their capacity to acquire and use
language.

Finally, Krashen's Monitor Theory, proposed by Stephen Krashen, brings together internal and external
factors in language acquisition. Krashen argued that both environmental input and internal cognitive
processes are vital for acquiring and processing language. His theory emphasizes that language
acquisition is subconscious, while language learning is conscious. The theory also balances
comprehensible input from the environment with the learner’s internal ability to process and monitor
language use.

These theories provide insight into how we begin to understand the workings of the human brain. Despite
these advances, the brain remains one of the most complex and elusive subjects of study. It is often said
that the brain is the hardest part to observe due to its intricate nature. Scientists continue to study and
explore how the brain functions, yet much of its inner workings remain a mystery.

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