Long before they utter their initial word babies' communication

Long before they utter their initial word, babies' communication commences from day one, using sounds such as crying, cooing, squealing, facial expressions like eye contact, smiling, grimacing and gestures/body movements that is moving legs in excitement or distress, and later, gestures like pointing.

At 0-3 months: Cries, smiles, coos, Looks at faces, Quiets when picked up or comforted (most of the time) and Listens to voices.

3-6 months babies smile and laugh, cries when upset, and look for comfort (that is : snuggle into carer's shoulder), show excitement by waving their arms and legs, like to stare and be close to those they are fond of and important to them, Can be comforted (most of the time).

6-9 months babies will babble (making lots of different and playful sounds) using at least multiple different sounds, laughing, giggling, murmuring and squawking with people they know. They react to loud, annoyed, and friendly voices, rotate toward and gaze at newly formed sounds, create sounds and babbles to draw attention, play games like Peek-a-boo, may get upset if separated from a familiar person or people, respond to their own name, tap images of self in mirror and love to watch faces.

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At 9-11 months: Tries to imitate sounds or facial movements (lip circle, sticking out tongue, etc.) May say "mama' and/or "dada", Shouts or vocalizes loudly to get attention, Babbling starts to sound like "real speech" - this is called jargon, Plays Peek-a-boo, Repeats a syllable or sequence of sounds often, Uses smiling and crying to indicate how they are feeling, Shows affection for special and significant people in their life, Trusts that their needs will be met that is: crying will result in getting fed and so on.

12-18 month toddlers will have a language explosion - they will understand more than they say, but they will imitate everything they hear, learn new words every day. Some of their communication abilities include: recognizing their name, can understand "no", understand simple instructions, point and gesture to call attention to an event or to show what they want, imitate or copy familiar words, say "mama" and "dada" and several other words, usually names of objects or people, attempt to communicate by mixing jargon with real words for example babbling that sounds like real words, vocalize for enjoyment, point to show you something, point to a few body parts when asked, that is: "Where's your mouth?", imitates animal sounds

1? - 2 year olds are able to use 10 - 20 different words, starts to combine 2 words for example baby sleep, use words to make needs and wants known, like "more", "up", "milk", imitate sounds and words more clearly, point to objects and/or use gestures to show or direct attention to something, points to own toes, eyes and nose, brings an object from another room when asked (follows 1-part directions), sing simple songs, mix real words and jargon, practices words over and over on thier own for example whilst playing in their bed etcetera.

2 - 2 ? years olds have about 200 spoken words in their vocabulary. They are able to understand simple questions and commands, identifies many body parts, can have "conversation" with self and dolls, ask "what's this?", "what's that?", and "where's my". They are able to construct a sentence length of 2-3 words ( that is: "more juice" or "want cookie"), able to name pictures and actions, refer to self by name use 2-word negative phrases such as "no want", "not go" or "no right", form some plurals by adding "s" for example toys, ask for a drink or snack.

2 ? - 3 year olds are able to use about 450 words, can give first name when asked, understands simple time concepts such as "last night" and "tomorrow", Uses their words to get adult attention ie: "watch me!", Likes to hear the same story over and over again, Talks to other children as well as adults, Holds up fingers to tell age

3-4 year olds: have a vocabulary of 900 or more words and most of what they say can be understood. They are able to put words together to form 3-4 word sentences. They ask LOTS of questions and enjoy talking and having conversations with people. Uses proper grammar most of the time and are developing number concepts. They may repeat sounds, words, or phrases (may sound like stuttering).

4-5 years olds are continuing to learn lots of new words very quickly, their vocabulary of 4,000 - 6,000 words and can use sentences of 4-6 words. They talk a lot and about everything they are doing or thinking. They are interested in written words, letters and numbers.

At age six, children can typically use complete sentences of five to seven words. As they progress through middle childhood, they develop the ability to use increasingly complex sentences. Children become more social and have wider experiences. They ask large amount of questions and will be able to talk about things in past and future tenses with greater confidence. They will start looking for adult approval and will be starting to learn how to read.

At 7-12 years

By now most children will be fluent in speaking a language, they would be able to transfer information and think in a more abstract way. At this stage, children will be developing and refining their skills at reading and writing. They will be more able to think and discuss ideas.

Cognitively, between the ages of 6 and 10, children progress from the ability to follow three commands in a row to the capacity to follow five commands in a row.

At 12-16 years

Young people will be selecting and taking GSCEs and A levels, they will usually now have a clear idea about their favourite subject .this is the stage young people want to feel like they belong.

At 16-19 years

Most young people are leaving school and are thinking of the career path to take and university choices. They will be able to focus on their area of strength and be able to develop it more.