key term - Underextension

Definition

Underextension is a language acquisition error where a child applies a word too narrowly, using it for fewer instances than it actually refers to. This occurs when a child learns a word but limits its use to specific objects or situations, failing to generalize the term to similar items. Understanding underextension helps highlight the nuances of vocabulary development and the challenges children face as they learn to categorize their world.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Underextension typically occurs in early language development, often around the ages of 12 to 18 months when toddlers are beginning to speak.
2. A common example of underextension is when a child refers to their family dog as 'dog' but does not apply the term to other dogs they encounter.
3. Children may outgrow underextensions as their vocabulary expands and they gain more exposure to different objects and contexts.
4. Underextension indicates that children are beginning to understand categories but are still refining their concepts and classifications.
5. Teachers and caregivers can help children overcome underextensions by providing varied examples and encouraging broader language use in different contexts.

Review Questions

• How does underextension differ from overextension in children's language development?
  • Underextension and overextension are both common phenomena in children's language acquisition, but they represent opposite errors. Underextension occurs when children apply a word too narrowly, using it for only specific instances of a broader category. In contrast, overextension involves applying a single word too broadly, using it for many unrelated items. Understanding these differences helps caregivers support children's vocabulary growth effectively.
• What role does semantic development play in helping children move beyond underextensions?
  • Semantic development is crucial for helping children move beyond underextensions as it involves learning the meanings of words and how to categorize them appropriately. As children expand their understanding of different objects and concepts through experiences and social interactions, they begin to refine their vocabulary. This growth helps them learn to generalize terms rather than limit their use, leading to more accurate language skills.
• Evaluate the impact of fast mapping on reducing instances of underextension in young children.
  • Fast mapping significantly impacts reducing underextensions by allowing children to quickly learn new words and associate them with broader categories. When children are exposed to new words in varied contexts, they begin to form mental connections that facilitate understanding. This cognitive process accelerates vocabulary development, helping children recognize similarities among different objects or concepts, thus minimizing the likelihood of underextending their word usage.

Related terms

overextension: Overextension is the opposite of underextension, where a child uses a single word to describe multiple unrelated objects or concepts, applying it too broadly.

semantic development: Semantic development refers to the process by which children learn the meanings of words and how to use them effectively in communication.

fast mapping:

Fast mapping is a cognitive process that allows children to quickly learn and remember new words after only a brief exposure, facilitating vocabulary growth.