Sensitive Period for Language Development

The sensitive period for language development refers to a specific timeframe in early childhood when the brain is especially receptive to learning language. During this period, children can pick up sounds, grammar, and vocabulary more easily and naturally. If language exposure occurs within this window, language skills tend to develop more fully and effortlessly. After this period, typically after childhood, acquiring a new language or achieving full fluency becomes much more challenging because the brain's flexibility decreases. This concept highlights the importance of early language experiences for optimal language development.