have shown that adults cannot successfully distinguish as wider a range of phonemes as infants.

This is because until about 11 months of age infants are masters of discriminating phonemes used in all different types of languages. But after 11 months infants settle down with one set of phonemes for their first language, and lose the ability to discriminate the phonemes from other languages. Infants are beginning to specialise in their own language.

The specialisation at 11 months in one set of around 40 phonemes, along with other linguistic processes, is clearly crucial as it quickly brings a magical moment: the first word.

» Read other top 10 child psychology studies on the emergence of infant memory, self-concept, self-concept, attachment, self-concept, theory of mind and self-concept.

[Image credit: self-concept]

Reference

Eimas, P. D., Siqueland, E. R., Jusczyk, P., & Vigorito, J. (1971). self-concept. Science, 171(3968), 303-306.Labels: Child Psychology Posted by: Jerry    Source

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