Learning activity 1.1: Before we begin the course, why don't you jot down how you think children learn their first language. Post your ideas to the Discussion board
My current view is that children achieve FLA through constant immersion in the culture to which they are born, of which language is one aspect. They initially develop language for at least two reasons - first, as stimulus-response conditioning to have their physiological needs met, and second in imitation of their primary care givers (parents, carers, etc) as an expression of a desire to communicate as part of their hierarchy of needs (Maslow 1954), particularly the needs of 'belongingness' and 'love'. I believe that babies acquire language through immersion and patterned learning, however as they grow they develop the ability to 'play with' language to build on their repertoire through a process of experimentation and abstraction.
Maslow, A. (1954). Motivation and personality. New York: Harper.
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