EDSP 6560EDSP 6560Sessions 5 & 6Sessions 5 & 6

Communication and Communication and Literacy Development Literacy Development Birth to Five Years Old Birth to Five Years Old

Infants: Basic DevelopmentInfants: Basic Development

Rosemary Kerrin, Ph.D.

ObjectivesObjectivesThe students will be able to – • Describe the role of structure and function

in early language, including reflexes• Compare the theories of Piaget, Vygotsky,

and Skinner relative to language development

• Identify the linguistic aspects of early language development

• Explain the role of social interaction theory in early language development

• Integrate theoretical perspectives of early language development

OverviewOverviewPhysical Factors

PsychologicalPerspective

Social-InteractionPerspective

LinguisticPerspective

PiagetVygotskySkinner

Gross/Fine

Oral

Neuro

Attachment

Interaction

Phonology

Semantics

Pragmatics

Physical Development – Physical Development – Gross MotorGross Motor

• Birth

• 6 wks +

• Over 1st year

• whole body movements (startle/Moro)

• differentiated body movements (ATNR)

• head control • upper body • pull to sitting• pull to standing

Gross motor development allows child to experience/

explore environment

Fine Motor - InfantsFine Motor - Infants

• primitive grasp

• ulnar grasp

• tripod grasp

• pincer grasp

Oral MotorOral Motor• rooting

• suck & swallow

• bite reflex

• chewing

Early reflexes designed to obtain food; as motor patterns repeat and nervous system matures, child develops control. Mouth serves as exploratory organ: all items go in mouth – EXPLORE!

Baby BrainsBaby Brains

• Organ that is least developed• Approx one billion brain cells• Processes of myelination and

pruning• Factors which affect brain

growth: nutrition, stimulation, touch, activity

• Brain Quiz, Zero to Three

Cognitive Development • per Piaget

– sensorimotor period– concepts/ precursors of language

•object permanence•causality (means-end)• imitation•symbolic function

VygotskyVygotsky

• sensory integration• pre-language period

– concept formation– situational understanding– situational jargon patterns

• Language integrated as vehicle of thought

SkinnerSkinner

• primitive reflexes

• setting events– deprivation states (eg, hunger) – discriminative stimuli (smell of

mother = comfort, food, warmth, etc)

• consequences– reinforcers– punishment

Social Development in Infants

• Attachment – undiscriminating social response

– differential smiling & vocalization

– seeks out proximity and contact with attachment figure

Social Development • Interaction

– initial regulation– reciprocal exchange– initiative– focalization

When viewing this link, note the physical movements of the babies, eye contact, attention, imitation, and sounds produced.

MothereseMotherese• Adults change their manner of speaking

when talking to babies:– closer proximity when infant attending– higher pitch– greater pitch fluctuations– slower rate– more & longer pauses– shorter in length– simpler construction– produced more fluently & clearly– based on smaller, restricted set of words– frequently nouns for concrete objects– refer to objects or events in here-and-now

Linguistics - FormLinguistics - Form• Phonology

– discrimination skills• mother’s voice• minimal pairs

– vegetative sounds– cooing– babbling

• marginal babbling• reduplicated• unreduplicated

– jargon

• Syntax & Morphology - Ǿ

At birth, baby recognizes mother’s voice; able to discriminate between speech sounds (pah-mah). Sounds increase in range and complexity. NOTE: Children with autism or delayed speech often do not babble. Children who are deaf babble normally and stop at 6 months.

Linguistics – Linguistics – Content & UseContent & Use

• Semantics– sound patterns represent concepts

• Pragmatics– perlocutionary (interpretation/response

of communicative partner)– locutionary (communicative action)– illocutionary (idea/intention)

Why might Why might you you see this baby? see this baby? Risk FactorsRisk Factors

Organic Often diagnosed at

birth or soon after Includes structural

anomalies, genetic syndromes

Prematurity, low birth weight

Newborn hearing screening

Environmental• Nutritional

deficiencies• Neglect• Limited resources for

child needs

RULE OF THUMB: The earlier a problem is apparent, the more severe it will be.

• Questions of differences, diversity, & disorders

Assessment ConsiderationsAssessment Considerations– Assessment & intervention

considerations• Setting• Personnel• Methods

– Observation– Neurological Development

Intervention ConsiderationsIntervention Considerations

– Feeding issues• position• stimulation & desensitization• PATIENCE !!!