Infant Cognitive and Language Development — Theory and Practice
Piaget’s comprehensive theory of infant cognitive development emphasizes the complexity of processes and stages involved as children begin to conceptualize about and interact with their environment. He contributed to the understanding of cognitive development by establishing the link between a child’s sensory input and subsequent motor responses, suggesting the stepwise progression of conceptual development (Santrock, 2002). His theory was particularly revolutionary because it encompassed a generalized and unifying theory of universal cognitive development in young children. Unlike many other broad and comprehensive psychological theories, Piaget’s offers distinct, concrete concepts that can be easily tested and measured in a variety of settings. This aspect of his theory has impact not only for research purposes but also for practical applications such as clinical assessment and intervention.
Language development is a related and equally complex concept. The fundamental psychological debate of nature vs. nurture is evident in the differing biological and environmental perspectives proposed to explain the basis of language development. Significant research exists supporting both views. Among the most famous researchers supporting an innate biological pre-wiring for language development is linguist Noam Chomsky, who theorized that…
