Children learn language with much ease upto a specific period of time because they are especially responsive to environmental influences in that period. This period is known as ________ period of development.
- AOption (a)
Sensitive
- BOption (b)
Zonal
- COption (c)
Atypical
- DOption (d)
Non-responsive
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Correct answer
Sensitive
Why this answer is correct
Language development in the context of a child refers to the process through which a child acquires and develops language skills.
Key Points
- A critical or sensitive period is one when the child is maturational ready to acquire a skill.
- During this period the child must have favourable experiences, which will help her to acquire the skill.
- A critical or sensitive period is that time period in life when children learn language with much ease up-to a specific period of time because they are especially responsive to environmental influences in that period.
- During these periods if the child has favourable experiences, her development will be fostered. If in these periods experiences are unfavourable, development suffers.
- During this period, specific experiences affect the development of the child more than they do at other times.
- At times, the damage done because of unfavourable experiences may be irreversible.
- These periods when a child is particularly sensitive to the conditions in her environment are referred to as critical periods or sensitive periods.
Hence, we can conclude that children learn language with much ease upto a specific period of time because they are especially responsive to environmental influences in that period. This period is known as sensitive period of development.
Additional Information
| Age Range | Language Development Milestones |
|---|---|
| 3-12 months | - Cooing and laughing - Playing with sounds - Beginning to communicate with gestures like waving - Babbling (non-meaningful speech) - First words may start around 12 months |
| 12-18 months | - Saying first words with meaning (e.g., 'Dada' to call dad) |
| 18 months - 2 years | - Expanding vocabulary and combining two words |
| 2-3 years | - Speaking in longer, more complex sentences - Improving pronunciation and word usage - Engaging in play and talking simultaneously |
| 3-5 years | - Experimenting with more complex sentences and grammar - Using words like 'because', 'if', 'so', or 'when' |
| 5-8 years | - Becoming a storyteller in various ways - Building different types of sentences - Sharing ideas and opinions through language |