At what age do children typically start to develop metalinguistic skills?

Children typically start to develop metalinguistic skills around the age of 4 years old. At this age, they begin to gain an awareness of language as a system. This includes understanding that words can represent different meanings, recognizing the structure of language, and being able to discuss language use.

The development of metalinguistic skills is crucial because it lays the foundation for reading and writing. As children engage in conversations, play with rhymes, and explore the sounds of language, they refine their ability to reflect on and manipulate language.

While children may show some early signs of this awareness before reaching 4 years old, it is around this age that these skills become more pronounced and critical for their cognitive and social development in language arts. Understanding and discussing language more abstractly becomes a vital part of their learning process.