The development of spoken language in humans begins during pregnancy. Hearing is evident at birth, and according to findings by Marshall Klaus, newborns show a kind of "memory" for sounds that they have heard in the womb. These studies have also shown that newborns respond to human voices and to music. Crying is the first "spoken language" of infants. Through their crying they attempt to express hunger, frustration, pain, fatigue and sensory overload. Soon, the baby begins to experiment with human speech by babbling and cooing. The next stage is language intonation, at which time the child begins to use different pitches and sounds more like the language he hears around him. Eventually, the child is able to produce language sounds. He begins to use these sounds and symbols in a way that indicates meaning. .
Even though at this stage a child can make sounds, they actually start learning language long before this stage. The inclusion of oral activities such as rhythms, rhymes, patterns and intonations of speech conveys the idea that talking is a pleasant social activity, which makes them want to participate. .
Learning to talk is one of the key developments of a child's first three years and it is vital to the normal social, emotional and intellectual development of the child. Heineman (p 45), states "Language plays a vital role in the personal and social development of children. It enables them to gain an understanding of themselves and others and strengthens their social relationships." Prior to preschool, children have acquired a great deal of language skills; they enjoy stories and can answer simple questions about themselves. They are also able to hear and understand nearly everything that is said to them. .
Once children begin pre-school, learning is achieved through the involvement of age appropriate activities such as play, creative and hands-on approaches, inquiry, and discovery.