Field Experience Assignment
Example: Prenatal and Infancy
Shawn’s mother knew how important language development was so she started when she first became pregnant to develop these skills. The development of communication skills begins in infancy, before the emergence of the first word (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, n.d.). Since parents are a child’s first teacher, knowledge of language development in children improves their ability to interact with their child to stimulate and guide them in their ability to understand and communicate with their environment (Child Development Institute, n.d.). Shawn’s development beginning before birth through infancy was aligned with all of the milestones reviewed for typical children of his age. He went to regularly scheduled check-ups. There are several factors that supported language acquisition, language development, and literacy in Shawn’s early years. His mother was always reading to him and having conversations. At a young age he had a very large vocabulary. When it came to reading he was above grade level when he entered school. His environment supported this because his mom was working with him on language and literacy before he even entered school. Shawn’s physical, social, emotional and cognitive development had an impact on his language acquisition, language development, and literacy at a very young age.