stage 3: the two-word stage

Question 1

how long does the two-word stage last?

Answer 1

18-24 months

Question 2

what happens in the two-word stage?

Answer 2

• an exciting leap where children will start to produce two-word combinations in a word order which often resembles adult speech.
• grammar begins to be understood as they demonstrate some understanding of the relationship between words and the vocabulary will start to include more adjectives,
  adverbs and pronouns.

Question 3

what is productive vocabulary? (feature)

Answer 3

the language which can be used / the knowledge to produce a word they can use in their speech (they will understand far more than this):
* 18 months – 50 words
* 24 months – 200 words
* 36 months – 2,000 words

Question 4

what is naming insight? (feature)

Answer 4

• children begin to realise that everything around them has a name.
• they realise that language is a system of using words as symbols.
• they realise that every object, person or place has a word or label attached to it.

Question 5

what is vocabulary spurt? (feature)

Answer 5

a child displays a sudden growth in their vocabulary between 24-36 months; they switch
from learning approximately two words per week to suddenly acquiring and using
around 20 new words per week.