What is the typical age range for the second stage of first-language acquisition?

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The second stage of first-language acquisition typically occurs between 9 and 18 months. During this stage, children begin to engage in what is known as "holophrastic speech" where they start to use single words to express complete ideas or intentions. For example, a child might say "milk" to indicate they want milk, using the single word to convey a more complex thought.

This stage is marked by a substantial increase in vocabulary, with children gradually learning to associate words with their meanings. Additionally, they start to understand the concept of symbols as they relate to the words they hear around them. As they become more adept in their language skills, you may also observe increases in their ability to engage with caregivers through naming familiar objects or people.

In contrast, the earlier stages focus on cooing and babbling, which occur at ages 0-6 months and 6-9 months respectively. These stages involve more basic vocalizations and do not yet include meaningful language use, thus emphasizing the significance of the 9 to 18-month period as a critical phase in language development.

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