Pre-linguistic Stage (0-12 months)
* Cooing (0-4 months): Production of vowel-like sounds.
* Babbling (4-12 months): Production of consonant-vowel combinations (e.g., "ba-ba-ba").
* Gestures: Using non-verbal cues like pointing to communicate needs and desires.
Early Language Stage (12-24 months)
* First words: Single words used to represent objects, people, and actions.
* Holophrases: Single words used to express complete thoughts (e.g., "milk" meaning "I want milk").
* Two-word phrases: Simple combinations of words (e.g., "mommy go").
Later Language Stage (2-5 years)
* Telegraphic speech: Simple sentences with missing grammatical elements (e.g., "mommy go store").
* Expansion of vocabulary: Rapid increase in the number of words understood and used.
* Development of grammar: Grasping basic grammatical structures like verb conjugation and noun declension.
* Understanding of complex sentences: Ability to comprehend longer and more complex sentences.
School Age and Beyond (5+ years)
* Refining grammar: Continued development of more nuanced and sophisticated grammatical structures.
* Acquisition of vocabulary: Expanding vocabulary to encompass abstract concepts and figurative language.
* Developing pragmatics: Learning the social rules and conventions of language use.
* Advanced literacy skills: Mastering reading and writing, including comprehension and critical analysis.
Important Notes:
* Individual variation: The specific age at which children reach each milestone can vary significantly.
* Developmental milestones: The above order is a generalization and may not apply to all children.
* Other factors: Environmental factors, cultural influences, and individual learning styles can also affect language development.
It's important to remember that language acquisition is a complex process, and there is no one-size-fits-all timeline. If you have concerns about a child's language development, it's always best to consult with a qualified speech-language pathologist.