David Crystal's Stages of Language Acquisition

Stages of Child Language Acquisition as proposed by David Crystal. Turn off writing mode.

Stage 1

Stage 1

Children learn language to get something that they want, to draw attention, or to get attention.

Stage 2

Children learn to ask questions, and begin to realise their surroundings.

Stage 3

Children begin to show a further understanding of grammar, prosodic features, sentences and interrogatives.

Stage 4

Children are able to explain thoughts and processes, ask for explanations, and make a wider range of requests.

Stage 5

Children can use language in complex and advanced ways, and can start to use hypothetical questions.