Stages of Human Development and Language Acquisition

Adolescence

The transitional stage of physical and psychological development that generally occurs during the teenage years, marked by puberty, identity exploration, and increased autonomy.

Adulthood

The stage of life after adolescence, characterized by full development and maturity, typically defined by milestones such as career establishment and family formation.

Emerging Adulthood

A developmental stage proposed by Jeffrey Arnett, characterized by identity exploration, instability, self-focus, and possibilities, typically occurring in the late teens and early twenties.

Babbling Stage

A developmental milestone in infancy when infants produce repetitive, nonsensical sounds as they experiment with vocalizations.

One-Word Stage

The one-word stage, also known as the holophrastic stage, is a developmental stage in language acquisition during which children typically use single words to convey entire meanings or concepts.

Two-Word Stage

A developmental milestone in language acquisition during which children begin to combine two words to form simple phrases or sentences, typically occurring around 18 to 24 months of age.

Sensorimotor Stage

The first stage of cognitive development in Jean Piaget's theory, occurring from birth to about 2 years old, characterized by the infant's exploration of the world through sensory experiences and motor actions.

Preoperational Stage

In Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, the second stage, occurring from about 2 to 7 years old, characterized by symbolic thought, egocentrism, and the use of language and imagination.

Concrete Operational Stage

In Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, the third stage, occurring from about 7 to 11 years old, characterized by the ability to think logically about concrete events and grasp concrete analogies.

Formal Operational Stage

In Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, the fourth stage, occurring from about age 12 through adulthood, characterized by the ability to think abstractly, reason logically, and engage in hypothetical thinking.