Language Development in Normal Cases: A Chronological Sequence
In normal cases, “babies and children, irrespective of the country in which they are born, all follow a similar pattern of development” (Tassoni, 2007, p. 44). The broad language development stages highlighted by Tassoni (2007) are the pre-linguistic stage and the linguistic stage. Below, I discuss the chronological sequence of the said stages, as highlighted by Tassoni.
A: Pre-Linguistic Stage
6 Weeks – Cooing
In this stage, pleasure is expressed by way of making cooing sounds.
6 - 9 Months – Babbling (phonemic expansion)
This stage is marked by the making of tuneful sounds by way of blending of consonants and vowels. Examples of sounds made include, but they are not limited to, da, ma, ta.
9 - 10 Months - Babbling (phonemic contraction) and Echolalia (repetition of syllables in words)
At this stage, babies produce a more limited range of sounds. The said sounds also start becoming a reflection of the phonemes utilized in the language they’re exposed to.
B: Linguistic Stage
Around 12 Months – First Words
Here, babies start making use of several sounds that they attach meaning to.
12 – 18 Months – Holophrases
To enhance the usefulness of their limited vocabulary, toddlers at this stage begin to make use of holophrases. Here, a single word could be used in several ways, with a variation of tone in some instances being used to communicate the exact meaning intended.
18 - 24 Months – Two-Word Utterances (Telegraphic Speech)
Toddlers at this stage begin making mini sentences using word combinations, i.e. two words such as ‘papa come.’
24 – 36 Months - Language Explosion 1
The child’s vocabulary significantly increases and its sentence use also increases
3 – 4 Years – Language Explosion 2
Vocabulary increases further and use of longer sentences becomes commonplace
4 -6 Years – Fluency
The basic skills of language are mastered at this stage
6- 8 Years – Speech Maturity 1
Speech at this stage is clearer and language starts being used to communicate points of view
8 – 11 Years – Speech Maturity 2
As their vocabulary increases further, children at this stage develop skills in both reading and writing
12 – 16 Years – Speech Maturity 3
Here, speech becomes mature and fluent in a way that can inform meaningful negotiations and/or arguments
References
Tassoni, P. (Ed.). (2007). Child Care and Education Level (3rd ed.). Heinemann
