CHILD DEVELOPMENT PEDAGOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Chomsky believes that language is biologically inherited whereas Skinner’s theory is based on how a child learns how to talk through the use of positive reinforcement from adults who already speak a language fluently.

Detailed explanation-2: -Skinner suggested that a child imitates the language of its parents or carers. Successful attempts are rewarded because an adult who recognises a word spoken by a child will praise the child and/or give it what it is asking for. Successful utterances are therefore reinforced while unsuccessful ones are forgotten.

Detailed explanation-3: -B.F Skinner (1904-1990) proposed that children learn from consequences of behaviour. In other words if children experience pleasantness as a result of their behaviour, then they are likely to repeat that behaviour.

Detailed explanation-4: -Skinner himself found the review difficult to answer. He considered Chomsky’s tone to be emotionally charged, and the content to be lacking basic knowledge of behavioral analysis: “Chomsky simply does not understand what I am talking about and I see no reason to listen to him” (as cited by Andresen, 1991, p. 57).