Those who learn sign language as teens never become as fluent as children exposed to sign language from birth. This best illustrates the importance of ________ for mastering language.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A critical period is a time frame during which exposure to certain environmental stimuli and experiences is needed for optimal development. This question specifically refers to language development and highlights the critical period for language acquisition, which starts from birth to around age 7 or 8. After that period, it becomes increasingly difficult to acquire language skills. Therefore, children who are exposed to sign language from a young age have more opportunities to master the language because they are still within the critical period for language development. Those who learn sign language as teens miss this critical period and are less likely to become as fluent as those who were exposed to sign language from birth.

Those Who Learn Sign Language as Teens Never Become as Fluent