What are typical language milestones in the first year of life?

What are typical language milestones in the first year of life?

• A. First words typically appear around 6 months.
• B. Receptive language is always ahead of expressive language but no word development.
• C. Cooing and babbling do not occur in early infancy.
• D. Cooing and babbling emerge; first words typically appear around 12 months; receptive language generally precedes expressive language.

Answer: (D)

In the first year, language develops in a predictable sequence: babies start with sounds like cooing and then progress to babbling as they practice vocalization, and by about 12 months many say their first words. Importantly, understanding language generally comes before producing it, so receptive language tends to outpace expressive language early on. This combination captures the typical pattern: cooing and babbling emerge; first words appear around 12 months; receptive language generally precedes expressive language. That makes the statement the best choice because it aligns with how infants naturally develop language: early vocal play, followed by the first spoken words around a year, with comprehension leading production. The other options overstate timing or deny typical milestones—saying first words around six months is too early, claiming there’s no word development conflicts with observed progress, and denying cooing and babbling in infancy is inaccurate.

In the first year, language develops in a predictable sequence: babies start with sounds like cooing and then progress to babbling as they practice vocalization, and by about 12 months many say their first words. Importantly, understanding language generally comes before producing it, so receptive language tends to outpace expressive language early on. This combination captures the typical pattern: cooing and babbling emerge; first words appear around 12 months; receptive language generally precedes expressive language.

That makes the statement the best choice because it aligns with how infants naturally develop language: early vocal play, followed by the first spoken words around a year, with comprehension leading production. The other options overstate timing or deny typical milestones—saying first words around six months is too early, claiming there’s no word development conflicts with observed progress, and denying cooing and babbling in infancy is inaccurate.