Communication Assignemnt - Essay Example

“Language occurs through an interaction among genes (which hold innate tendencies to communicate and be sociable), environment, and the child’s own thinking abilities” (Genishi, 2006). While some of this behavior can be attributed to the child’s natural imitation of the caregivers, there remain aspects to the way language and communication develops that haven’t yet been sufficiently explained. Through this paper, the various terms used to discuss language development will be identified followed by discussion of the various parts and components of language that a child must master.

This will lead to investigation of how young children up to the age 4 seem to have an innate switch designed to facilitate language development and the theories that have evolved. Some activities that children and their parents may engage in that might help foster language and communication development will be discussed along with other factors that may contribute to development. Common mistakes shared by children as they learn how to communicate for the first time provide clues as to how language development progresses and contribute to a discussion of the average stages of language development exhibited among young children.

Generally speaking, language is nothing more than a set of symbols, usually auditory, that are commonly understood and are used to share or warehouse information (Eccardt, 2003). “The symbols are words, and their meanings cover everything we humans deal with … Generally, the above definition puts the label ‘language’ on English, Spanish, Chinese, etc. It also covers sign languages for deaf people” (Eccardt, 2003). This definition does not necessarily include the alphabet, writing or other forms of mechanical expression.

On the other hand, most experts define the term communication as a method of conveying meaning through the