How Language Acquisition Affects a Child's Development

Language acquisition involves the ability for a child to perceive, produce words, and use words or phrases to communicate effectively and understand others. The capacity to learn a language involves learning syntax, phonetics and vocabulary, as all three are essential tools in language acquisition.

  1. Language Acquisition

    • During childhood, a child can process and produce language effectively as his spoken vocabulary increases dramatically. As language acquisition expands, his spoken language catches up with his ability to comprehend. As children begin to learn more sentences, they begin to learn and understand grammatical structures and the rules.

    Milestones

    • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children grow and learn throughout their lives; however, the development of a child is generally measured through social, physical and cognitive milestones.

    Social Development

    • When a child gains appropriate knowledge of a language, she grasps an understanding of grammar and its socially acceptable use by interacting with adults and children. Many children who have language impairments lack social interaction or social skills, the lack of which often appears in preschool. A child̵7;s growth is often evident based on her ability to engage in a conversation and respond.

    Physical

    • Language acquisition often involves a child̵7;s ability to imitate or to play, as seen when children can connect physical objects with words or have the opportunity to categorize organizing words. When children play, they begin to imitate and play out specific games and can more clearly accomplish a task.

    Cognitive

    • Cognitive development often involves a child̵7;s language acquisition and involves the ability to think in a logical manner, but also involves his emotional development and maturation. Children begin to understand where things come from and can chain ideas together so they understand how things are ordered, allowing them to engage in dramatic play. Children̵7;s thinking processes become more complex over time. According to Merck, how a child acquires speech affects the understanding of her emotions, thereby altering her social skill development and reactions in social situations.

    Statistics

    • Based on the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, nearly 6 million to 8 million people in the United States have some type of language impairment. Although language impairment normally refers to the spoken word, it can also include learning sign language in the early years of life.

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