How Children Match Words to New Objects

Children use mutual exclusivity to match new words to the objects around them. Mutual exclusivity is the idea that an object usually has one label. If a child already knows the word hammer, they are less likely to give that name to an unfamiliar tool.

This word-learning strategy helps young child...

Children acquire their native language rapidly and learn linguistic rules without explicit instruction.

During development, the brain is especially adapted to learn new words, giving young children an advantage. After only a few exposures to novel words, young children learn and remember them effortlessly.

Perhaps more impressively, ...