Language learning : a special case for developmental psychology?

http://library.ied.edu.hk/search/aHowe%2C+Christine./ahowe+christine/-2%2C-1%2C0%2CB/frameset&FF=ahowe+christine&3%2C%2C3 Author: Howe, Christine. Title: Language learning : a special case for developmental psychology? / Christine J. Howe. Pub info: Hove, East Sussex, U.K. ; Hillsdale, U.S.A. : L. Erlbaum Associates, c1993. CALL NO. : P118 .H67 1993 Description: xi, 219 p. : ill. ; 24 cm. Series: Essays in developmental psychology, 0959-3977 Note: Includes bibliographical notes and, "References" p. 193-210 and index. Subject: Language acquisition, Children -- Language, Innateness hypothesis (Linguistics), Developmental psychology. This is a book talking about how children learn their mother tongue. It is an essay from the angle of developmental psychology. The book suggested that the development of computational linguistics put focuses of linguists into the grammar and generation of grammar. However, studies from psychologists suggested that infants do not learn their mother tongue in the form of grammar, but on a contextual base. They adjusted their learning and try to connect the meaning of real life language to their experience. Therefore, younger children cannot understand complex sentences and abstract ideas, because they cannot form linkage between the two.

Baa Baa White Sheep? Baa Baa Rainbow Sheep!

Today I just learnt that there is not only a part for the famous kids' song "Baa Baa Black Sheep", but there are three parts! I came across to a "Mother Goose" story book VCD today in school. When I was waiting for my work to be done, I read the VCD for leisure, and the first title is this "Baa Baa Black Sheep". Before my discussion, let me list the contents of the three parts below: Baa baa black sheep Baa baa black sheep Have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir Three bags full One for the master One for the dame One for the little boy Who lives down the lane Baa baa white sheep Have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir Three bags full One for the robin And one for the wren One for the little fox To warm up his den Baa baa rainbow sheep Have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir Seven bags full Red for the rooster And green for the frog Blue for the peacock And pink for the hog Yellow for the lion Orange for the cat Purple for the parakeet And that is that! (Repeat the whole song) What a wonderful song! Full of colours! Also, we can teach the animals (which is quite common in western countries, I believe) to the kids as well. "Baa Baa Black Sheep" is a very famous and common songs. However, as it is so famous and common, teachers may not think about using it as teaching materials in lessons. However, having a second look at it reveal the secret, that it contains not only the portion common to us, but also other portions not so common. To dig out these treasures, we need to explore the resources we have. Hope you like this little sharing.