Final Project

Objective: The goal of this final project is for you to document the requisite skills of a child’s language development from birth to
adulthood for a naïve audience (that is, someone who has not taken this class). Your project should reflect your cumulative
knowledge and understanding of concepts learned in this course—ultimately, your goal in learning this material is to not only know
it for your own purposes, but to be able to share it with others.

Instructions:
Select one of the following options to complete:

• Write a letter to a new parent explaining what they should expect in terms of language development over the next 18 years
• Create an informational brochure about language development from birth to age 18 that could be handed out as part of an
informational packet at a pediatrician’s offices.
• Record yourself giving a (pretend) workshop presentation for new parents on language development from birth to 18 years.

The following information should be reflected in any of the above selected options:
1. One theory of language development of your choice should be briefly explained.
2. There should be a total of 45 (~15 per module) developmental milestones/topics described.
3. There should be at least 7 milestones/topics from each age span

a. Infancy (0-12 months)
b. Toddlerhood (12-24 months)
c. Preschool (3-6 years)
d. School-age (6-12 years)
e. Adolescence (13-18 years)

Note: 7 milestones per age span is 35 milestones, which means there are 10 “free” milestones that you can include in whatever age
range or age ranges that you would like to meet the total 45 milestones.

4. At least 5 developmental milestones/topics related to each component should be included
a. Phonology
b. Morphology
c. Syntax
d. Semantics
e. Pragmatics/Social Communication

Note: 5 milestones per age span is 25 milestones, which means there are 20 “free” milestones that you can include in whatever
component/components or other milestones that do not fall into one of the components (e.g., motor or cognitive) that you would
like to include to meet the 45 milestones.

    5. At least 2 parent teaching strategies and 2 child learning strategies to support language development should be described.