NYSTCE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Practice Test

During which language acquisition stage do infants produce sounds like squeals and growls?

1. One-word Stage

2. Babbling Stage

3. Two-word Stage

4. Early Multiword Stage

The correct answer is: Babbling Stage

The babbling stage is a fundamental phase in language development where infants begin to experiment with sounds. During this stage, which typically occurs around 4 to 6 months of age, babies produce a range of vocalizations that include squeals, growls, coos, and various consonant-vowel combinations. These sounds are not yet words, but they are crucial for the development of speech and language skills. Babbling enables infants to practice the mechanics of sound production, which lays the groundwork for later stages of speech development. This playful exploration of sounds helps infants gain control over their vocal apparatus and become familiar with the rhythm and intonation of speech. As they progress, they gradually start to form recognizable patterns that lead to meaningful speech. The other stages mentioned do not involve the same range of exploratory sounds. The one-word stage involves producing single words, the two-word stage consists of simple two-word combinations, and the early multiword stage encompasses the use of short sentences. Each of these subsequent stages relies heavily on the foundational skills developed during the babbling stage, making it an essential precursor to more complex language use.