Language development is a fundamental part of early childhood and plays a crucial role in how children learn, communicate and form relationships. 

From birth, children are constantly absorbing language through listening, observing and interacting with others. Understanding language development stages helps parents feel informed and confident about how their child’s communication skills are progressing, particularly during the important early years.

At TEMS, strong emphasis is placed on nurturing language development from infancy onwards. Within environments such as Voyager House, our dedicated space for pre-nursery and  infants between 1 and 6 years old, and Discovery House, for those between 3 and 6 years old, children are supported through rich, meaningful communication experiences that respect each child’s individual pace of development.

Language is not only about learning to speak. It supports children in:

  • Expressing emotions.
  • Developing social skills.
  • Building confidence.
  • Laying the foundations for later literacy and academic success.

Understanding language development stages

Although children develop language at different rates, most follow similar language development stages during the early years. These stages offer guidance rather than fixed expectations and help parents understand how language typically develops from birth to age five.

H3: Birth to 12 months: Early communication and listening

During the first year of life, infants are learning the building blocks of communication. They listen closely to voices, respond to familiar sounds and begin to communicate through eye contact, facial expressions and early vocalisations. Babbling is an important milestone, as it allows infants to practise the sounds they will later use in speech. Gestures such as pointing or reaching also begin to emerge as meaningful forms of communication.

In Montessori environments, infants are spoken to with clear, respectful language from the very beginning. Parents can support this stage by talking to their baby throughout the day, responding to sounds and expressions, and using songs and rhymes to introduce rhythm and repetition in language.

1 to 2 Years: First words and growing understanding

As children move into the toddler stage, they begin to use their first words intentionally. These early words often relate to familiar people, objects or daily routines. At this stage, children typically understand much more language than they can express, even if their spoken vocabulary is still developing.

Consistent exposure to language during everyday activities supports vocabulary growth. Things that help strengthen understanding and encourage communication are:

  • Naming objects.
  • Describing actions.
  • Giving children time to respond.

2 to 3 Years: Expanding vocabulary and short phrases

Between the ages of two and three, children usually begin to combine words into short phrases. Vocabulary expands quickly, and children start to use language to ask questions, make choices and express ideas. Speech may still be developing in clarity, but communication becomes increasingly purposeful.

At this stage, adults can support language development by modelling slightly more complex sentences. Expanding on what a child says helps introduce new vocabulary while keeping communication natural and pressure-free.

3 to 5 Years: Confident communication and conversation

In the preschool years, children develop more fluent speech and begin to use language to tell stories, explain their thinking and talk about emotions. Conversations become more detailed, and children learn important social skills such as taking turns and listening to others.

Reading together plays a particularly important role during this stage. Things that help build strong language and comprehension skills are:

  • Discussing stories.
  • Predicting what might happen next.
  • Encouraging children to describe their experiences.

In Montessori settings, storytelling, conversation and practical life activities provide natural opportunities for rich language use.

Supporting language development at home

Parents play a vital role in supporting language development, as children learn best through consistent, meaningful interaction with the adults around them. Everyday routines such as mealtimes, dressing, travelling and playtime offer valuable opportunities for conversation.

Some tips to create a language-rich environment and help your children through language development stages might be:

  • Communicate during everyday routines such as mealtimes, dressing, travelling and playtime.
  • Talking with children about what is happening, listening carefully to their responses and giving them time to express themselves.
  • Sharing books regularly.
  • Singing songs and rhymes.
  • Prioritising face-to-face interaction.

At TEMS, language development is viewed as a shared responsibility between school and families. We work as a community, recognising that strong partnerships between parents and teachers provide children with consistency and reassurance. By sharing observations, celebrating progress and offering guidance, both at school and at home, we ensure that children experience a supportive and connected approach to language learning.

Parents are encouraged to engage with their child’s learning by continuing conversations begun at school, reinforcing new vocabulary, and sharing reading experiences at home.

Open communication between teachers and families allows individual needs to be recognised and supported early. When school and parents work together, children benefit from a cohesive approach that strengthens language development and builds a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Understanding language development stages allows parents to support their children with reassurance and confidence. Through consistent interaction, thoughtful communication and supportive learning environments such as those you can find at TEMS, children are given strong foundations for language, learning and lifelong communication skills.