Which develops earlier in language development?

• A. Expressive
• B. Receptive
• C. Both at the same time
• D. No typical order

Answer: (B)

Receptive language develops earlier. Infants first excel at understanding language long before they can express it. They recognize familiar voices and sounds, respond to their name, follow simple commands, and understand common words before they start producing words themselves. This gap—comprehension outpacing production—is why receptive language is considered to develop earlier. Expressive language, which involves forming and articulating words and sentences, emerges later as motor speech skills and memory for word forms catch up. While there is overlap as children begin to speak, the typical pattern is clear: understanding comes first, then production.