Now, we will transition to how we can conceptualize overall language development in stages. As we go through each one, keep in mind that much of the research available in the field is based on monolingual speakers. Also remember that these stages with their associated age ranges are not rigid. Children acquire language at different rates for a variety of reasons. Language development is dynamic! Use the information that follows as flexible guidelines.

Stage 1

Receptive and expressive phonological development occurs during the first year of life, when children are producing prelinguistic speech type sounds but no words yet.

By about 9 to 11 months, children deliberately imitate sounds, show definite signs of understanding some words and simple commands, and use expressive jargon, which is a flow of gibberish that has the intonation of real speech. Quite a lot of progress has been made since birth!

Stage 2

During the linguistic speech stage when children are about 1 year old, a very important point in development occurs: Most children begin to use words in the language(s) they are hearing adults use for real purposes.

Stage 3

It is amazing how many words 2- to 3-year-old children can learn in all the languages they are hearing! In Stage 3, they begin to put the words together into two- and three-word combinations, in the appropriate syntax of the languages they are hearing. (Examples: mommy sit; kitty eat…)

At this point and beyond, the more words children hear in the languages used at home and in childcare and education settings, the more words they will be able to learn and use in both oral and written formats.

Stage 4

Stage 4 is when children progress to using sentences. Preschoolers usually know and use many words, especially if their daily experiences have exposed them to words, sentences, and questions used in context by more developed and informed children and adults.

Summary

Stage 1

• Birth: Crying is the major way of communicating needs
• 2 weeks: Less crying, random gestures, and vocalizations
• 6 weeks: Squeals, gurgles, and coos (makes vowel sounds like “uhh”)
• 2 months: Uses smile to communicate
• 3–6 months: Child babbles (makes consonant-vowel syllable sounds like “ma,” “de,” “da”)
• 6–9 months: Accidentally imitates sounds, more repetition of syllables like “ah,” “Baba,” utterances express emotions
• 9–11 months: Deliberately imitates sounds, shows definite signs of understanding some words and simple commands, uses expressive jargon, flow of gibberish that has the intonation of real speech

Stage 2

• At 1 year: One-word utterances with complex meanings; three to six words in expressive vocabulary
• 12–18 months: Use of jargon-complex and speech-like intonation; three to 50 words, mainly nouns; usually does not show frustration when not understood

Stage 3

• At 2 years old: Two- to three-word utterances; 50 to 200 words expressive vocabulary; two turns in conversations, multiple topics
• At 3 years old: Often considered the most rapid period of language growth; many new words acquired daily, 200 to 300 words; child may become frustrated if not understood

Stage 4

• At 4 years old: Expressive vocabulary of 1,400 to 1,600 words in many different categories (e.g., modifiers, connectors, mental state words); try to make themselves understood; disputes with peers resolved with words
• At 5 to 6 years old: Complex syntax, use of verb tenses, mean length of utterance (MLU) of 6.8 words; receptive vocabulary of at least 6,000 words and expressive of 2,500. Participates in conversations

Watch the video Baby and Toddler Milestones (7:18) by Dr. Lisa Shulman of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. As you watch, think about how language and communication relate to social development.

References

Adapted from Jalongo, Mary Reneck. (2003). Early childhood language arts. (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

Albert Einstein College of Medicine (2012, March 7). Baby and Toddler Milestones, Dr. Lisa Shulman [Video file].