List two language development milestones in infancy and toddlerhood.

• A. Babbling by 6-8 months; first words around 12 months.
• B. Coos and gestures by 2 months; reading simple words by 24 months.
• C. Alphabet recognition by 24 months; writing by 36 months.
• D. Crying reduces after 4 months; smiling ends by 6 months.

Answer: (A)

Language development in infancy and toddlerhood follows a natural progression from sound experimentation to spoken words. Babbling typically begins around 6–8 months as babies practice syllables, and by about 12 months many children say their first words, marking the start of more purposeful language use in toddlerhood. This pair is the best fit because it combines a prelinguistic stage with a landmark word achievement right as language expands into toddlerhood. Other options mix milestones that aren’t standard language milestones or occur at unlikely ages (such as early reading or alphabet recognition at 2 years, or non-language activities like crying or smiling).