CHILD DEVELOPMENT-Observation #2
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Linguistics
Date
Feb 20, 2024
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Uploaded by jennijohnson8726
OBSERVATION #2 JENNI JOHNSON
1
Language Development-Four Boys Talk About a Garbage Truck
Introduction
Language whether spoken, written, or signed is a form of communication used to express
or convey a message. Language in all forms has a set of rules and is structured with grammar and
vocabulary. However, the acquisition of languages develops through stages starting with distinct
cries and babbling to one-word statements and so on. In the video, four boys talk about a garbage
truck, we can see these four or five-year-olds at different language acquisition stages
communicate. They converse with themselves as they watch a video of their class watching how
a garbage truck pulls in and crushes trash bags.
Developmental Skills
Expected language developmental skills for children similar in age are syntax, knowing
the importance of sentence structure, and thus forming grammatically correct sentences.
Additionally, at this age, they should have a deep understanding of semantics, which refers to the
meaning of words and sentences (Santrock et al., 2021, p. 50). Semantics is the understanding
that each word has a distinct definition and for a sentence to make sense the correct word needs
to be used. Additionally, kids similar in age to those in the video are expected to use and
understand two-word utterances which is when they shout a combination of two words to either
identify locate or question something. Finally, kids this age are expected to use telegraphic
speech which is where they start to combine morethan two words but often in the word order like
“ want me more”.
Child Behaviors
Although the boys in the video are similar ages they seem to be at districtivly different
language acquisition stages. The two boys on the far left seem to be more advanced in the
OBSERVATION #2 JENNI JOHNSON
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semantics stages as they exclaim “ it’s the hopper” as the other two laugh thinking its a funny
word, the other boy explains to them what it is. This shows the difference in the childrens
semantics development as two of them know a more complex word. They’re vocabulary is at
different development as two of them know more amounts and complex words. The two boys
who have a less developed semantic stage also are practicing two word utterances as they
exclaim “I stinks” using two words to explain the video. The little boy is also using telegraphic
speech as he said “ I stink” talking about the garbage truck he means the truck itself stinks not
him. The sentence structure may not have been correct but the people around him knew he was
talking about the garbage truck.
Conclusion
These kids, although at different stages, illustrate language developmental outcome as
they are using semantics, two-word utterances, and telegraphic speech which is excepted at
children of this age. We can tell the older ones from the younger ones within the four boys as two
of them have developed past the two-word utterances in highly developed syntax, properly
forming grammericaly correct sentences, with a high range of vocabulary.
OBSERVATION #2 JENNI JOHNSON
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References
Sandtrock, J. W., Deckard, K. D., Landsford, J. E., (2021). Child Development (15th ed.).
Mcgraw Hill
. file:///Users/jenniferjohnson/Downloads/Child%20Development
_%20An%20Introduction%20--%20SANTROCK%20--%202020%20--%20McGraw-Hill%20E
ducation%20--%209781260571462%20--%20a7d0944be42effb3bcb4c4547e663e2d%20--%20A
nna%E2%80%99s%20Archive.pdf
[Colorado Department of Education]. (2021, July 30).
Four Boys Talk About a Garbage Truck
[Video]. Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cic1922j8Is&t=43s
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