Arkansas Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

What is the first stage of first language acquisition?

1. Babbling stage

2. Beginning oral fluency stage

3. Cooing stage

4. Telegraphic stage

The correct answer is: Cooing stage

The cooing stage is recognized as the first stage of first language acquisition. This stage typically occurs around 6 to 8 weeks of age when infants begin to produce a range of cooing sounds, often characterized by vowel-like sounds such as "oo" and "ah." This early form of vocalization plays a crucial role in the development of language skills, as it marks the initial exploration of sound and serves as a foundation for later stages of language acquisition. During this period, infants are essentially experimenting with their vocal apparatus and beginning to learn the mechanics of producing sounds, which will later contribute to their ability to form words and sentences. It lays the groundwork for more complex vocalizations and is vital in the journey toward verbal communication.