Learning Resources

Required Resources

Note: To open PDF documents, you will need the Adobe® Reader® software (available as a free download at: http://get.adobe.com/reader/).

• Course Text: Gleason, J. B., & Ratner, N. B. (2013). The development of language (8th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
• • Chapter 1, “The Development of Language”

• Online Reading: Week 1 Reading (PDF)
  Used by permission.

• Web Articles on Language and the Brain:

• • Brain Development Study May Provide Some Help for Educators (PDF)
    http://brainconnection.positscience.com/brain-development-study-may-provide-some-help-for-educators/
  • The Evolution of Language
    http://brainconnection.positscience.com/topics/?main=fa/evolution-language
    
    
  • Finding a Voice: Perspectives on Language Acquisition
    http://brainconnection.positscience.com/topics/?main=fa/language-acquisition

  • Speech, Language, and Reading – The Dana Guide (PDF)
    http://www.dana.org/news/brainhealth/detail.aspx?id=10038

Optional Resources

• Web Site: CHILDES (Child Language Data Exchange System)
  http://childes.psy.cmu.edu

• Web Site: Language Development in Children
  http://childdevelopmentinfo.com/child-development/language_development.shtml

• Web Article: Implications of Brain Development Research for Even Start Family Literacy Programs (U.S. Department of Education)
  http://www2.ed.gov/offices/OESE/archives/CEP/brainnewsltr.html

Language and the Brain

Researchers are constantly discovering new information about the brain. The Web articles in this week’s Learning Resources provide reputable information on recent findings. Explore at least two of these resources, looking for information that will expand and deepen your understanding of language development as it relates to the brain.

As you read the information, note ideas that are of particular interest to you and consider thoughts and insights that you would like to share about language development and the brain. Think about how this information might help you and others in the field of child development to work more effectively with children, families, and/or educators of young children.

•  
• Brain Development Study May Provide Some Help for Educators (PDF)
  http://brainconnection.positscience.com/topics/?main=news-in-rev/brain-development
  
• The Evolution of Language
  http://brainconnection.positscience.com/topics/?main=fa/evolution-language
  
• Finding a Voice: Perspectives on Language Acquisition
  http://brainconnection.positscience.com/topics/?main=fa/language-acquisition
  
• Speech, Language, and Reading—The Dana Guide (PDF)
  http://www.dana.org/news/brainhealth/detail.aspx?id=10038

By Day 3:

Post the following:

•  
• Describe two or more ideas that you found of particular interest about language development as it relates to the brain (e.g., research findings about language acquisition, specific examples of how language is learned). Be sure to cite your source(s).
•  
• Then, share your ideas about how this information might help you and others in the field of child development work more effectively with children, families, or educators of young children.