Children’s “private speech’ play an important role in cognitive development because it helps in guiding & regulating self thinking. This concept is supported by :

Correct option is D

Lev Vygotsky, a prominent developmental psychologist, emphasized the significance of private speech in cognitive development. According to Vygotsky, private speech, which is self-directed and often audible during childhood, serves as a crucial tool for thinking and problem-solving. He viewed it as a transitional mechanism that evolves into inner speech (silent self-dialogue) as children grow older. Private speech enables children to plan, guide, and regulate their actions, fostering independent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Vygotsky’s theory highlighted the socio-cultural influence on cognitive development, asserting that private speech emerges from social interactions and becomes internalized as inner thought. Unlike Piaget, who saw private speech as egocentric, Vygotsky viewed it as a positive mechanism for developing higher mental functions.

Information Booster

1. Private speech is more frequent during challenging tasks as it helps children self-regulate and manage difficulties.
2. It typically peaks between the ages of 3 and 7 years and later transforms into silent inner speech.
3. Vygotsky believed cognitive development is deeply influenced by cultural and social interactions.
4. Unlike Piaget, who considered private speech immature, Vygotsky viewed it as a necessary step in self-regulation.
5. Research shows that children who use private speech effectively tend to perform better in tasks requiring attention and memory.
6. Private speech aligns with the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), guiding children to solve problems independently.

Additional Knowledge

(a) Noam Chomsky
Chomsky is renowned for his theory of Universal Grammar, which emphasizes the innate ability of humans to acquire language. He focused on the biological basis of language acquisition rather than private speech or its role in cognitive development. While his theories are influential, they do not align with the concept of self-regulatory speech.

(b) Jean Piaget
Piaget considered private speech a form of egocentric speech that gradually diminishes as children mature and become more socially aware. He believed cognitive development occurs in stages, and egocentrism fades as children transition from the preoperational to the concrete operational stage.

(c) Jerome Bruner
Bruner focused on the role of scaffolding and discovery learning in cognitive development. While he emphasized the importance of language as a tool for thought, he did not delve deeply into private speech. His work complements Vygotsky’s theories but does not specifically address self-guided speech.