As humans, the process of language acquisition is an element of cognition that sets us aside from any other species

Exploring Theories of Language and Learning

As humans, the process of language acquisition is an element of cognition that sets us aside from any other species. Early childhood development is the most advanced stage of language acquisition and cognitive development. During this time, children go through a complex set of milestones and developments that make up the overall process of language acquisition (Piper, 2012). There are many theoretical frameworks that support the development of language and cognition, and each can be identified by certain beliefs and characteristics. As an early childhood development educator, it is crucial that you understand both historical and contemporary theories of language and cognition, and analyze them so that you can utilize the one most aligned with your beliefs as an early childhood development professional.