Memory Game Language DevelopmentOnline version Learn about How Do Children Learn Language? by Shirley Michelle Niquinga Toapanta Language Development Stage 2: Learning Words. Babies learn which phonemes belong to the language they are learning and which don’t. Infants can distinguish between language sounds and other noise. Language Development Stage 3: Learning Sentences At this point, children are able to attach meanings to words. Children continue to expand their vocabulary and develop more complex language. Language Development Stage 1: Learning Sounds Language Development Stage 3: Learning Sentences Children are not learning words, exactly. They are actually learning morphemes,which are the smallest, discrete chunks words can be broken into. Language Development Stage 2: Learning Words. Language Development Stage 1: Learning Sounds They can put words in the correct order.