Language development: communication and stages
Define language broadly and order the six general stages from pre-linguistic communication to multi-word speech.
Original teaching mapped to Cambridge IGCSE Psychology 0266 Version 3 for 2027–2029. The course is independent study support, not Cambridge material, an official mark scheme or an awarded grade. Named-study notes summarise the required findings; candidates are not expected to evaluate named studies. Self-check practice is not official grading, a timed Paper 1/2 simulator or teacher review.
Before you begin
- Use the Version 3 syllabus and confirm availability in your administrative zone with Cambridge and your school. Both papers are compulsory. The updated named-study summaries are required context; full original research articles are not required.
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
Before language development: communication and stages, which approach is most useful?
What you will learn
- Define language as verbal and non-verbal communication
- Order pre-linguistic, babbling, one-word, two-word, telegraphic and multi-word stages
- Apply stage labels to a new example
Language communicates thoughts and feelings
Language includes verbal and non-verbal ways of communicating. Development is not only learning vocabulary; it includes using symbols, combining words and adapting messages to other people.
A broad sequence helps describe early acquisition
The syllabus sequence is pre-linguistic, babbling, one-word, two-word, telegraphic and multi-word (post-telegraphic). These are general stages, not a rigid timetable that every child follows at an identical age.
Use the form of the utterance to classify it
A pre-linguistic infant communicates without words; babbling uses repeated speech-like sounds; one-word speech expresses an idea with one word; two-word speech combines two meaningful words; telegraphic speech uses short content-word combinations; multi-word speech develops beyond that brief form.
Pause and explain
Which response best shows understanding of language development: communication and stages?
Worked example
A child says ‘more juice’ to request another drink. Which stage is most likely shown?
Show the worked solution
- The utterance contains two words.
- Both words contribute to the request.
- This fits the two-word stage.
Answer Two-word stage.
Try a topic test
Choose Easy, Normal or Difficult. Save your answers and open worked review after finishing.
Test this topic →From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Place these stages in order: one-word, babbling, two-word.
Give me a hint
Start with repeated speech-like sounds.
Compare my reasoning
- Babbling comes before meaningful words.
- One-word speech follows.
- Two-word speech combines words after the one-word stage.
Babbling → one-word → two-word.
Look for these in your work
- Orders babbling first
- Places one-word second
- Places two-word third
A toddler says ‘doggie run fast’ as a short content-word phrase without grammar words. Which stage is best represented?
Give me a hint
Look at the compact multi-word form.
Compare my reasoning
- The utterance has several content words.
- It omits some grammatical words.
- This is telegraphic speech.
Telegraphic stage.
Look for these in your work
- Counts the words
- Notes the compact form
- Names the stage
An infant points, reaches and uses facial expressions before speaking. How does this fit the syllabus definition of language?
Give me a hint
Use the verbal and non-verbal scope.
Compare my reasoning
- The infant is communicating meaning.
- The communication is non-verbal.
- Language development includes non-verbal communication, including pre-linguistic communication.
It is non-verbal pre-linguistic communication, which fits the broad language definition.
Look for these in your work
- Recognises communication
- Identifies non-verbal form
- Connects to the definition
Common mistakes
- Treating stages as a strict age test.
- Confusing babbling with a meaningful word combination.
- Limiting language to speech and ignoring non-verbal communication.
What can you explain now?
Which stage follows two-word speech in the syllabus sequence?
Compare with the explanation
Telegraphic
The sequence then proceeds to multi-word (post-telegraphic) speech.
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Make it stick
What are the six general language stages, and why is the sequence not a rigid age timetable?
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.