Learning an adjective. The impact of descriptive information / Aprendiendo un adjetivo. El impacto de la información descriptiva

Abstract

Picture books are a symbolic means by which children often learn words in everyday interactions with adults. The aim of this research was to study the impact of descriptive information on learning an adjective by using a picture book. We found that whilst this information helped three-year-olds learn the adjective, it was not effective for two-and-a-half-year-olds. It seems that for three-year-olds this descriptive clue contributed to the creation of a zone of proximal development where the teaching/learning process could unfold. This research is in line with studies that underscore the central role of social interaction in general and instruction in particular during the process of cognitive development and learning.