" Arrange the stages of language development during infancy.
A. Intonation
B. Crying
C. Babbling
D. Echolalia
E. Cooing
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is C

The correct sequence of language development stages during infancy is:
1. Crying (B): The earliest form of communication, which begins at birth. Infants use crying as a primary means of expressing needs.
2. Cooing (E): Around 6-8 weeks, infants start making soft vowel sounds, such as "oo" or "ah", which is an early sign of vocal experimentation.
3. Babbling (C): Between 4 to 6 months, infants begin producing consonant-vowel combinations, such as "ba-ba" or "da-da". This stage is crucial for the development of speech sounds.
4. Echolalia (D): By around 9-12 months, infants start to imitate sounds and words they hear, repeating them without fully understanding the meaning.
5. Intonation (A): Toward the end of the first year, infants begin to mimic the pitch and rhythm of the language they hear, which helps them form more complex speech patterns.
Information Booster:
Language development in infants follows a predictable pattern, starting from basic vocalizations like crying and progressing through various stages as they experiment with sound production. By the time they reach the intonation stage, infants are learning how to modulate their voice, preparing them for forming actual words and sentences.
· Crying: Serves as a reflex to indicate discomfort, hunger, or other needs.
· Cooing: Marks the beginning of vocal play, indicating pleasure and comfort.
· Babbling: Represents the first attempt at structured vocalization and sound experimentation.
· Echolalia: The repetitive imitation of sounds, a precursor to meaningful speech.
· Intonation: Infants start using varied pitch and rhythm in their vocalizations, closely mirroring the speech patterns they hear from adults.