JayB-There is indeed research in that area (researched by my sister for example:-)

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I do actually think children learn (although I know researchers call this acquire as Imyrtheshem rightly pointed out). For example bilingual children I think have a period where they speak both or more languages simultaneously in one sentence. At that point the child may not yet know he is speaking two different languages that is jumbled up and which may be largely unintelligible to others. Learning to separate these is learning as far as I am concerned. But I am not familliar with the research supporting this.

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Yes, and I guess children are also starting with (as it were) a "blank linguistic canvas". (Also their brains are still generally at an early stage of development.)

I think we are splitting hairs here. Is a child learning to walk? Is a child learning to ride a bicycle?. Is there a difference? He is setting out to learn to do something and he is practicing in order to achieve that goal. I think it is all learning. But this is semantics as far as I am concerned.

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Moving away from German, I have a question regarding the use of singular personal pronouns as employed by 3-year old native English speakers.

My British granddaughter still gets her "he/she, his/her" in a muddle. For example, she'd say about her - girl - cousin: "He doesn't speak much, you know. Where is his coat?" [At least, she's consistent.]

Any idea when this might change?