This course is taken in the junior year. The course involves a scientifically-based overview of typical language development in children, beginning in infancy and going through adolescence and adulthood. The class discusses variables that can impact language development (e.g., poverty, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, and others). The class includes a review of theories of language acquisition, basic principles of language sampling, and elements of grammar. There is an introduction to basic principles of assessment and intervention for children with language impairments as a foundation to the child language disorders class offered the subsequent semester. Evidence-based practice is emphasized, and scientific research studies are utilized to support recommendations for assessment and intervention. The concepts of linguistic human rights, intersectionality, and equity vs. equality are incorporated into the course.
In-class lectures will be accompanied by PowerPoints. You may print out student PowerPoints from this website or bring them to class and take notes on your computer, iPad, or other device. Some note taking is definitely expected during class time. Thus, class attendance is strongly encouraged.
1/25/24 and 1/30/24 Introduction to Child Language
2/1/24 and 2/6/24 Language Development Theories: Practical Implications
2/8/24 Neurological Bases of Speech and Language
2/13/24 and 2/15/24 Social and Communicative Bases of Early Speech and Language: Infant Development
2/22/24 Language-Learning and Teaching Processes and Young Children
2/27/24 and 2/29/24 Toddler Language Development
3/5/24 and 3/7/24 Preschool Pragmatic and Semantic Development
3/12/24 Preschool Syntactic and Morphological Development
3/26/24 Language Sampling Techniques and Applications
4/2/24 and 4/4/24 Early School-Age Language Development
4/9/24 and 4/11/24 School-Age Literacy Development
4/16/24 Adolescent and Adult Language
4/23/24 Language Development of Children who have Been Neglected and/or Abused
4/25/24 and 4/30/24 Language Development of Children Experiencing Poverty
5/2/24 Language Development of Children Prenatally Exposed to Drugs and/or Alcohol
5/7/24 Language of Students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
STUDY GUIDES
Example 1 of Children's Book Assignment
Example 2 of Children's Book Assignment
Example 3 of Children's Book Assignment
Example 4 of Children's Book Assignment