nicole kotras masters thesis

36-54 months. Grammar developmental stage
Mastery of Comprehension
The young child:
Understands prepositions (behind, between, under);
Understands many words (up to 3 500 at 3 years, 5 500 at 4 years)
Understands cause and effect (What do you do when you are cold?);
Understands analogies (Food is to eat, milk is to).
Mastery of Expression
The young child:
negatives);
Uses correct articulation of n, w, ng, h, t, d, k, g;
Uses language to relate incidents from the past;
Uses wide range of grammatical forms (plurals, past tense, questions,
Plays with language (rhymes, exaggerates);
Produces speech which is 90% intelligible, with occasional errors in the
ordering of sounds within words;
Is able to define words;
Egocentric use of language rare;
Can repeat a 12-syllable sentence correctly.
55 months on. True communication stage
Mastery of Comprehension
The young child:
Understands concepts of number, speed, time, space;
Understands left and right;
Understands abstract terms;
Is able to categorize items into semantic classes.
Mastery of Expression
The young child:
Uses language to tell stories, share ideas, and discuss alternatives;
Shows increasing use of varied grammar;
Is able to engage in spontaneous self-correction of grammatical errors;
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