SLP 183 Introduction to Language Development

Lecture Hours: 3
Credits: 3

Introduces the process and evolution of language development for students pursuing training as a speech language pathology assistant, and those in early childhood education. Provides an overview of basic linguistics and practical applications of the theoretical explanations of language acquisition. Includes observation of language acquisition and development milestones in infants, children, and adolescents.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Describe, with examples, the various concepts of linguistics, communication, speech, and language.
Name and identify the five aspects of language in various types of communicative interactions.
Differentiate between the various theories of language acquisition.
Identify and describe the major language developmental milestones in various communicative interactions of infants, children, and adolescents.
Differentiate between language and speech differences from language and speech disorders
Integrate specific aspects of cognitive and linguistic development into observational descriptions of communicative behavior in infants, children, and adolescents.
Describe the effect on communication of various cultural rules/routines.

Content Outline

Defining Language and Communication, and Describing the Aspects Language
Cognition, Cognitive Development, Language, Communication, and Speech
Methods of Observing and Describing Communication Interactions and Theories of Language Acquisition
Early Communication Developmental Milestones; From Survival To Early Verbal Communication
Early Development of Speech
Early Development of Vocabulary, Sentences and Grammatical Markers
Reading, Writing and Literacy
Development of Speech, Language and Communication in later childhood
Cognitive Development in Later Development and Adolescence
Development of Langauge and Communication in Adolescence
Discussion of Communication Observations