Language development refers to the gradual expansion and maturation of an individual’s language abilities over time. It starts from infancy when a child has no language, then progresses through stages such as cooing and babbling, saying first words, combining words into simple sentences, and eventually using complex sentences and narratives. This development encompasses improvements in form (sound system and grammar), content (vocabulary and meaning), and use (pragmatics or social use of language).
Most children follow a predictable timeline of language milestones (for example, by 18–24 months using two-word phrases, by 3–4 years engaging in short conversations), though the pace can vary. SLPs monitor language development to determine if a child’s communication skills are on track; they provide intervention when a child shows atypical development, leveraging the brain’s early critical period for language learning (the first few years of life) to maximize progress.
Miller, George A., & Patricia M. Gildea. “How Children Learn Words.” Scientific American 257 (1987). Link
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). “Speech and Language Developmental Milestones.” Last updated October 13, 2022. Link
