FAU Advanced Health Assessment Practice Test

At what stage in development do children typically begin to show a clear preference in their use of words?

1. 6 months

2. 10 months

3. 12 months

4. 15 months

The correct answer is: 12 months

Children typically begin to show a clear preference in their use of words around the age of 12 months. This developmental milestone is significant as it marks the transition from cooing and babbling to the emergence of recognizable words and phrases. At this age, many children will start using single words purposefully to convey meaning, such as "mama," "dada," or "no." They begin to understand that words represent objects, actions, or concepts, which is a crucial part of language development. This form of communication illustrates their cognitive advancement and emerging social interactions, as they use words to request, label, or express their needs. While earlier stages, such as 6 months and 10 months, are characterized by pre-verbal sounds and babbling without specific meanings, the 12-month mark is associated with the first intentional use of words linked to their context. By 15 months, children may begin to expand their vocabulary but the clear preference for specific words typically establishes around 12 months.