What is the "first words" stage?

The "first words" stage refers to a significant milestone in child language development when children start to use single words as a form of communication, typically around the age of 12 months. This stage marks the transition from pre-linguistic communication, such as gestures and crying, to verbal language. At this point, children often express simple concepts or needs through single words, like "mama," "dada," or "milk."

This phase is crucial because it lays the groundwork for further language development, allowing children to convey their thoughts and feelings more effectively. The use of single words often represents a child’s attempt to communicate broadly about their surroundings or desires, which signifies their understanding of the world around them and the purpose of language.

In contrast, the other stages mentioned involve more advanced language abilities. The use of complex sentences and forming questions comes later in development, after children have mastered basic vocabulary and sentence structure. Similarly, developing a vocabulary of 100 words would typically occur after the initial use of first words, as the child progresses in their language acquisition journey.