With respect to how children learn word meanings, the textbook suggests that

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Children must decide to which piece of the world a new word applies. For instance, if the word is "dog" there will be a large set of possible meanings each time someone uses the word (for example, the whole dog vs. its nose or fur). Researchers suggest that children develop hypotheses about what each new word might mean. Particular meanings are assigned to new words through expectations such as the principle of contrasts, which suggests that differences in form signal differences in meaning. When children hear new words, they look for meanings that contrast with meanings of words they already know.

With Respect to How Children Learn Word Meanings, the Textbook