How Children Learn Language

Summary

Marianne Bromley's talk from the NWT Literacy Council delves into the science of how children learn language, emphasizing the critical period from birth to three years when the brain forms a thousand trillion connections. She highlights the importance of early, rich language exposure, especially for Aboriginal languages, and refutes the myth that bilingualism confuses children. Bromley stresses the need for interaction, not just exposure, for language acquisition, advocating for talking, reading, and singing to children as the key to building language skills.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The last decade has been a significant period for brain research, revolutionizing our understanding of learning, especially in early childhood.
• 👶 Babies are born ready to learn, with the brain growing most rapidly during the first three years of life, setting a foundation for lifelong learning and well-being.
• 🧠 We start with 100 billion brain cells, and experiences are crucial for these cells to connect and form pathways for learning.
• 🌱 The brain undergoes a process called 'pruning', where it strengthens connections used most often and eliminates those that are less used, preparing the child for their environment.
• 👂 Babies are born as 'global citizens' capable of making and distinguishing all sounds in any language, but this ability starts to narrow down by 10 months of age.
• 🗣️ It's never too early to talk to a baby; conversing with infants is key to building language and vocabulary skills.
• 🎶 Parentese, the high-pitched, singsong way of speaking to babies, is natural and beneficial for helping them distinguish words and sounds.
• 📺 Television and videos are not effective for language learning; real interaction with a person is necessary for language acquisition.
• 👥 Learning language is a social activity; the 'social brain' is activated during interaction, which is essential for language development.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Learning multiple languages from an early age does not confuse children; in fact, it enriches their linguistic abilities.
• 📚 Reading to children and using books as a medium for conversation is an effective way to teach language and foster a rich vocabulary.

Q & A

Who is the speaker in the provided transcript?

The speaker is Marianne Bromley, who lives in Yellowknife and works for the NWT Literacy Council.

What is the main topic of Marianne Bromley's talk?

The main topic of her talk is how children learn language, with a focus on the importance of early childhood learning and the role of the brain in language acquisition.

What has been the impact of technological advancements on our understanding of the brain in the last decade?

Technological advancements have allowed for machines to take pictures of the brain in action, showing which parts light up during learning, and have revolutionized our understanding of learning, especially in early childhood.

Why is the first three years of a child's life considered crucial for brain development?

The first three years are crucial because the brain grows more during this period than at any other time, and experiences during this time influence a person's ability to learn, wellness, health, and social interactions throughout their life.

How does the brain form connections that are essential for learning language?

The brain forms connections through experience. As a child experiences the world, brain cells connect, forming pathways that serve as a foundation for lifelong learning and well-being.

What is the term used to describe the process by which the brain eliminates unused connections?

The process is called 'pruning,' where the brain removes connections that are not used often through a 'use-it-or-lose-it' mechanism.

What is meant by 'windows of opportunity' in child development?

'Windows of opportunity' refer to specific times in a child's development when the brain is particularly receptive to certain stimuli or information, making learning during these times more efficient.

Why is it beneficial to talk to babies even before they can speak?

Talking to babies is beneficial because they begin learning language as soon as they are born, and by the time they start to speak, they have already figured out a lot about the language through the sounds and interactions they have been exposed to.

According to the transcript, what is the impact of television on a child's language learning compared to interaction with a person?

The transcript suggests that a child's brain does not learn language in the same way when exposed to television as it does through interaction with a person. Real interaction is necessary for the part of the brain that learns language to be active.

What advice does Marianne Bromley give regarding the learning of a second language in early childhood?

Marianne Bromley advises that there is no evidence of confusion in children learning two languages during infancy and toddlerhood. She emphasizes that the earlier the exposure to a second language, the better, and that it should be done in a rich, regular, and enriched environment.

What is the role of reading in teaching language to children according to the transcript?

Reading plays a significant role in teaching language to children as it provides a platform for rich interaction, vocabulary enrichment, and the formation of meaning through narratives and context.