Children’s Development of Sentence Structures

Question 1

🧱 Children’s Development of Sentence Structures

Answer 1

As children learn language, they build up their ability to form longer and more grammatically complex sentences in stages.

1️⃣ Simple Sentences
Definition: A sentence with one main clause (one idea).

Example:
“I want juice.”
“Dog is barking.”

👶 Early development – Most of children’s first sentences are simple. They start with 2–3 words and gradually add more.

2️⃣ Compound Sentences
Definition: A sentence with two main clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (e.g. and, but, or).

Example:
“I want juice and I want cake.”
“It’s raining but I’m going outside.”

🧒 Later development – Children begin using ‘and’ first to link ideas, often overusing it at first.

3️⃣ Complex Sentences
Definition: A sentence with a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses (can’t stand alone).

Example:
“I cried because I fell over.”
“When I’m big, I’ll ride a bike.”

👧 Advanced stage – As grammar improves, children start using subordinating conjunctions like because, when, if, that, etc.

🧠 Why it matters:
This development shows how children move from basic expression to more detailed and connected ideas, which is a key part of language growth.