Three studies, designed to examine use of word order and animacy for
interpretation of sentences by 21 typically-developing two-year-old, 23
typically-developing two-and-one-half-year-old, 16 typically-developing three-year-old,
17 language-delayed two-and-one-half-year-old
and 19 language-delayed three-year-old children were carried out.
Results indicated that typically-developing two-year olds used neither
cue consistently to interpret sentences. Typically-developing two-and-one-half-year olds, on the other hand used a coalition of word order and
animacy cues and language-delayed two-and-one-half-year olds used
neither cue. At three years of age both groups of children used word
order exclusively to interpret sentences.