What is language development? Machado (1985) defines language as “a system of intentional communication through sounds, signs (gestures), or symbols which are understandable to others.”
Language involves both listening to others and speaking. It serves as the foundation for most other types of learning.
STAGES OF LANGUAGE
DEVELOPMENT
Children pass through many stages as they acquire language skills. The stages below show a typical way the skills progress, but the pattern of growth varies from child to child (Corporation for National Service [CNS], U.S. Department of Education, & U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1997).
• Newborn: Responds to voices and othersounds by crying, cooing, or smiling.
• Three to Eight Months: Plays with sounds
and babbles to self and others. Waves arms and
kicks to show feelings.
• Eight to Twelve Months: Understands
and responds to simple words and gestures.
Recognizes parents and caregivers and turns to
their voices or on hearing their names spoken.
• Twelve to Eighteen Months: Begins to
say words and to follow very simple directions.
Recognizes own name. Jabbers with strings of
syllables that sound like sentences.
• Eighteen to Twenty-Four Months:Makes two-word sentences. Imitates adult words
and gestures. Asks and answers simple questions.
The way you promote language development must
take into account the developmental level of the child.
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