Abandoning Here-And-Now Language: Sensorimotor Development in the Acquisition of Persian as a First Language

摘要

Going through the sensorimotor period of language development, children use words referring to objects not immediately present. This study aimed at finding out the extent of one- to two-year old Iranian children's abandoning here-and-now language. 15 children were selected from Talash Kindergarten in Shiraz as the participants. Their language and behavioural development was carefully observed and recorded for five months. The qualitative data analysis of the study indicated that infants having a greater mastery on object permanence are able to use words for objects not present in their immediate environment. Thus, the study supported Piaget's cognitive development in language acquisition.