Language development

Core principles

• phonology

• morphology

• semantics

• syntax

• pragmatics

Prelinguistic stage (0-12 months)

• early response to human speech

• recognition and preference of mom’s voice

• prelinguistic vocalisations, gestures

Holophrase stage (12-18 months)

• understand and speak first word

• speak one word phrase, expand vocab one word at a time

telegraphic stage (18-24 months)

short 2-3 word phrases, leave out fillers

preschool stage (2-5 years)

• add grammatical morphemes, not always correct

• increasingly complex

• awareness to tailor language to listener

• school age, understand rules of language - grammar/structure

mid-childhood and adolescence (5-18 years)

• rapid vocab growth, understand subtle rule exceptions

• distinguish language, deeper understanding