Language is central to the human experience. It emerges universally and is acquired effortlessly by children. This seminar will focus on the acquisition of a first language by children. We will review the acquisition of the sounds of language, the meaning of language, and the structure of phrases and sentences. We will discuss both the process of acquisition and the competing theoretical explanations of that process. Particular emphasis will be placed on discovering the mechanisms children possess that enable them to learn language. Understanding how language develops and the factors involved can help us better identify appropriate interventions for children at risk.