What is the impact of environmental factors on the development of communication skills?

The correct answer highlights the positive role that environmental factors play in enhancing language development and cognitive abilities. Environmental influences, such as social interactions, exposure to language-rich settings, parental involvement, and cultural factors, significantly contribute to a child's ability to acquire and use language effectively.

From birth, a child's environment provides essential stimuli that encourage language learning. For instance, children who are spoken to frequently and engaged in conversations are likely to develop stronger language skills. Furthermore, diverse experiences and interactions with others can facilitate cognitive development, allowing children to not only learn vocabulary but also understand the nuances of communication, such as tone, context, and emotional cues.

The other options suggest a lack of or negative impact from environmental factors, which contradicts well-established research in the field of communication and language development. Environmental factors are crucial for shaping cognitive abilities and can dramatically influence the trajectory of language acquisition and mastery.