At what age does the pre-verbal stage typically occur?

The pre-verbal stage of child language acquisition typically occurs between the ages of 0 to 12 months. During this stage, infants engage in early forms of communication such as cooing and babbling, which are crucial for their language development. In the first few months, they mostly communicate through crying and various vocal sounds, gradually progressing to coos around 2 to 3 months and then to babbling by about 6 to 9 months.

This stage sets the foundation for later language development, as infants begin to understand the rhythm and patterns of speech, even before they produce recognizable words. By the end of the first year, babies start to associate sounds with meanings, preparing them for the next stages of language acquisition. The correct answer acknowledges the full range of this important developmental phase, which encompasses crucial early vocalizations and interactions.