This paper describes the characteristics of children's discourse, emphasizing simplicity, specificity, spontaneity and creativity as the dominant. An overview of theories on language adoption is presented, followed by phases of speech development in the preparatory pre-verbal period and development of language activities. Early linguistic development is presented with regard to phonological, grammatical and semantic development. Language adoption is influenced by various environmental factors, of which the role of the game, educator, media and dialect is emphasized in the language development of the child. Creating a language-rich environment, modeling proper speech, encouraging communication, and working with parents are some ways in which educators can contribute to the development of language in children. The text of the picture book Pustolovine u Ribljem Gradu, authored by preschool children, was analyzed. It looked at what kind of words in this example of child discourse appeared. The results confirm the grammatical development typical of that age because nouns and verbs are equally present in the text of the picture book, and there are half the adjectives by which children gradually accumulate their own language skills.