Child language acquisition is the process by which infants and young children learn to understand and speak their native language. This development typically begins in the first year of life, as babies start to recognize sounds and patterns in speech. They gradually progress from cooing and babbling to forming words and simple sentences, often influenced by their interactions with caregivers and the environment. Several theories explain how children acquire language, including the nativist theory, which suggests that humans are born with an innate ability to learn language, and the social interactionist theory, which emphasizes the role of social interaction in language development. Overall, this process is crucial for effective communication and cognitive development in children.