What is the first stage of negative formation, according to Bellugi?

The first stage of negative formation, as outlined by Bellugi, involves children using negatives in isolation, such as the words "no" or "not." This stage typically occurs between the ages of 2 and 3, when children begin to express negation in their speech. At this point, they have not yet learned to integrate negatives into longer phrases or combine them with other words, which characterizes later stages of language development.

This initial stage is crucial as it represents a foundational understanding of negation, allowing children to reject or deny things around them. By learning to say "no," they begin to assert their will and express preferences. This is an essential step in acquiring more complex forms of negation in subsequent stages, where they learn to place negatives in the middle of sentences or combine them with other words. Understanding this progression helps in recognizing how children develop their language skills over time.