"by 7 months, babies are little statisticians."

lately in professor curtin's class i've been reminded that, yeah, it's insane what kids (and babies) can do. that thing myth said years ago in his lj never leaves me, about how it sends chills down his spine when he hears anyone under seven years old speaking easily, freely, expressively, efficiently.

also, i have freaked out two days in a row upon viewing diagrams indicating children begin losing their "universal listener" status/capability at around 10 to 12 months of age. i was adopted when i was over 18 months old, and was raised in an english speaking environment during the rest of my "critical acquisition period." i don't really know what to think about this.