At what age does the first stage of first-language acquisition typically occur?

The first stage of first-language acquisition is typically characterized by the development of cooing and babbling, which occurs between the ages of 6 to 8 months. During this period, infants begin to produce sounds that resemble the rhythm and intonation of speech, even though they are not yet using recognizable words. This stage is crucial for laying the foundation for later language development, as infants are experimenting with their vocal apparatus and starting to engage in the sounds of their native language.

While younger infants, such as those aged 0-3 months, might coo and make basic sounds, it is during the 6-8 month range that more complex vocalizations emerge. As such, the correct answer reflects the typical timing for when significant advancements in vocalization and the beginnings of phonetic development occur, setting the stage for further linguistic abilities.