Knowledge Theme

What do children know at different points in development and how do they come to know it? 

Theme Lead: Prof Julian Pine, University of Liverpool

Children use language in clever ways from very early in development, but what do they know that allows them to do this? And how do they learn to use language like adults? Our knowledge theme explores how closely children’s knowledge of language is tied to the language that they hear and how they go beyond their input to build categories and rules.

There are three research projects under this theme. To find out more about each project follow the relevant link below:

The transition from preverbal to language-based cognition

Learning how to inflect verbs in different languages

From lexical to abstract knowledge: The case of wh-questions

Impact

Our research under this theme will enable us to:

• Determine what children need to know in order to learn language
• Inform parents about what to expect from children at different ages
• Advise speech and language practitioners about how to encourage children to move beyond their input.

Download our Knowledge Theme Flyer for more information.