According to the social interactionist model, how do children build language?

The social interactionist model emphasizes that children develop language through active engagement with their social environment. This approach posits that children not only absorb language but also establish goals and employ various linguistic strategies to navigate their communication needs.

By establishing goals, children learn to communicate their intentions—whether to request, inform, or express feelings. They devise linguistic strategies by experimenting with language, adapting their speech to their audience, and using contextual clues from conversations. These strategies are guided by interactions with adults and peers, contributing to their understanding and use of language in a meaningful context.

This process of goal-setting and strategic language use fosters a deeper comprehension of language beyond mere memorization or imitation, as it involves critical thinking and social awareness. Thus, this method highlights the active role of children as co-constructors of language rather than passive recipients.