In the area of language learning, White (1978) observed that
language learning was facilitated in brief episodes precipitated
by the child rather than arranged by the adult. When a child
initiated interaction, the adult first tried to identify what the child
wanted. “Once the interest of the child was accurately identified,
the adult had what would seem to be the ideal teaching situation—
a motivated student and knowledge of exactly what it was
the student was focusing on. The adult then responded with what
was needed and generally used some words at or above the
child’s apparent level of understanding. Once the child showed a
lessened interest in the interchange, he was released, allowed to
then return to whatever it was he was doing or wanted to do. The
entire episode rarely took more than 20 or 30 seconds, although at
times there were much longer interchanges” (White, 1978:156).