Stages of Language Development

The child demonstrates a burst in vocabulary and begins to combine words. He also starts to take more turns in conversation.

• First Words User

• Early Sentence User

• Combiner

• Late Sentence User

The infant goes from communicating reflexively to becoming really interested in others and wanting attention. He does not yet know how to send messages directly. The caregiver needs to give meaning to the child’s sounds and gestures.

• Communicator

• Discoverer

• First Words User

• None of the above

The child uses long, complex sentences and can hold conversations.

• Later Sentence User

• Early Sentence User

• Combiner

• First Words User

The child begins to use single words.

• Discoverer

• Communicator

• First Words User

• Combiner

The child progresses from using two-word combinations to five-word sentences and can now hold a short conversations.

• Later Sentence User

• Early Sentence User

• Combiner

• First Words User

The child sends purposeful messages directly to others using a combination of eye gaze, facial expressions, sounds and gestures. He becomes very sociable.

• Communicator

• Discoverer

• First Words User

• None of the above