grammatical development

Question 1

When was Brown’s stages developed?

Answer 1

1970

Question 2

What did his grammatical development theory state or suggest?

Answer 2

Stages to help understand and predict typical expressive langauge development in children.

Each stage has an age range (in months), an MLU range (mean length of utterance). This does not refer to the number of words used but refers to the number of morphemes, or unit of meaning, used in an utterance.

Question 3

What is stage one?

Answer 3

1 year - 2 years 2 months
MLU = 1.0-2.0

Structure: 50-60 word vocabulary; basic ohrases/sentences that show communicative intent.

Examples: more water, no juice, my toys

Question 4

What is stage two?

Answer 4

2 years 3 months - 2 years 6 months
MLU = 2.0-2.5

Structure: present progressive (-ing verbs), in, on, -s plural.

Examples: jumping off, in cup, my toys

Question 5

What is stage three?

Answer 5

2 years 7 months - 2 years 10 months
MLU = 2.5-3.0

Structure: irregular past tense, ‘s possessive, uncontractible copula

Examples: me fell down, mommy’s shirt, he was happy

Question 6

What is stage four?

Answer 6

2 years 11 months - 3 years 4 months
MLU = 3.0-3.75

Structure: article, regular past tense, 3rd person regular, present tense

Examples: in the bucket, I laughed, he swims fast

Question 7

What is stage five?

Answer 7

3 years 5 months - 3 years 10 months
MLU = 3.75-4.5

Structure: 3rd person irregular, uncontractible auxiliary, contractible copula, contractible auxiliary.

Examples: kitty does tricks, dad is laughing, it’s hot outside, we’re coming over.

Question 8

Brown’s Regression Curve

Answer 8

Point A - imitation
Point B - Supports innateness - LAD kicks in - applying grammatical forms (tenses)