Cognitivism (Jean Piaget):
Believes that certain types of words can only be learnt if a child understands a concept
cognitively. (e.g Can only learn concrete nouns when object permanence is understood)
Language isn’t just social, it’s used to organise thoughts.
Strengths Weaknesses
Links shown between language skills and Some say the rules are too rigid, as
motor (movement) skills. language acquisition is often flexible.
Shown that object names can only be learnt Difficult to show correlations between
after understanding object permanence. certain behaviours and speech.
Some studies found kids learnt fluent
speech despite abnormal development.
What to look out for in an exam:
Children talking to themselves whilst trying to figure something out.
Children failing to use/understand language because they have not grasped a concept.
Children using language representing complex concepts. (e.g Future tense, object
permanence, comparison of objects)
Believes that certain types of words can only be learnt if a child understands a concept
cognitively. (e.g Can only learn concrete nouns when object permanence is understood)
Language isn’t just social, it’s used to organise thoughts.
Strengths Weaknesses
Links shown between language skills and Some say the rules are too rigid, as
motor (movement) skills. language acquisition is often flexible.
Shown that object names can only be learnt Difficult to show correlations between
after understanding object permanence. certain behaviours and speech.
Some studies found kids learnt fluent
speech despite abnormal development.
What to look out for in an exam:
Children talking to themselves whilst trying to figure something out.
Children failing to use/understand language because they have not grasped a concept.
Children using language representing complex concepts. (e.g Future tense, object
permanence, comparison of objects)
