Final answer:
Gestures are typically the first form of communication to develop in children, followed by babbling, and eventually single words. These stages are part of the early development of communication skills observed universally in typically developing children. Understanding this sequence is essential in the study of language acquisition.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gestures are usually the first form of communication to develop in typically developing children. These nonverbal forms of communication can include various physical movements, facial expressions, and even crying. Before the development of verbal language skills, infants rely on gestures to communicate their needs and feelings to those around them. For example, babies communicate information through gesturing long before they speak. This is evident as newborns already show preferences for their mother's voice and can discriminate between the language spoken by their mother and other languages.
After a few months, babbling becomes a significant milestone in language development, but initially, it is not primarily a form of intentional communication. Eventually, as they grow older, children start using single words to represent their thoughts or needs, often around the age of one to one and a half years. These one-word utterances can carry broader meanings, indicating a move towards more complex forms of communication.
Understanding these early stages of development is crucial in the study of language acquisition and the recognition of universal patterns in developing children across various cultures. Stage theories suggest that there is a common sequence in language development milestones, which has been observed culturally and universally.