CHAPTER 6 Enhancing Language Development in Preschoolers
Chapter Overview
This chapter focuses on preschoolers' language development in each of the five aspects of language knowledge: phonological, semantic, syntactic, morphemic and pragmatic. In each of these areas, research-based concepts and examples of children's oral and written language are included to describe preschoolers' language development.
Learning Outcomes
After reading this chapter, students should be able to
· Describe how the order of phoneme development reflects the complexity involved in producing each phoneme
· Explain how vicarious and direct experiences enhance semantic development
· Describe ways in which preschool children's syntactic knowledge develops from three to five years of age
· Explain how instances of overgeneralization in preschoolers' use of morphemes provides evidence of their developing language knowledge
· Explain how preschoolers' speech during dramatic play provides evidence of developing pragmatic knowledge of language
Chapter Review
1. Describe five concepts about written language that preschool children can learn when storybooks are shared with them on a regular basis.
2. How is the preschool classroom language environment different from the home language environment? Describe at least three differences.
3. What specific sounds are more difficult for 4-year-olds to produce? Give an example of several words that contain those specific sounds.
5. In what way does storybook sharing enhance preschool children’s semantic development?
6. Explain several specific ways preschool children’s syntactic knowledge becomes more complex. Give an example.
7. Give two examples of evidence that preschoolers are experimenting with, and acquiring, morphemic knowledge.
8. How did Heath’s research (1983) increase understanding of the development of pragmatic language knowledge?
Chapter Activity
1. Watch the video: Pete The Cat -I Love My White Shoes.
2. Examine the storybook for each of the five aspects of language knowledge: phonological knowledge, semantic knowledge, syntactic knowledge, morphemic knowledge, pragmatic knowledge.