When Renee was 11 months old, she was injured in a car crash. She was in a coma for almost a year and then spent many months of recovery from a brain injury. Now at her third birthday, although she is making good progress, she has not yet spoken, and her parents are fearful that she will never speak. The doctors, however, feel confident that Renee will learn to speak. This is because language learning in the first four years is a _____.
A) sensitive period
B) critical period
C) developmental task
D) dynamic system

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Language learning in the first four years is considered a sensitive period, meaning that while it is an optimal time for acquiring language skills, learning can still occur after this period. This explains the doctors' confidence in Renee's potential to learn to speak despite her injury and delayed start.

When Renee Was 11 Months Old, She Was Injured in a Car