During which age range do infants typically enter the holophrastic stage and what's its defining feature?

During which age range do infants typically enter the holophrastic stage and what's its defining feature?

• A. 6–10 months; babbling with repeated syllables
• B. 18–24 months; two to three word sentences
• C. 12–18 months; a single word conveys broader meaning
• D. 24–30 months; full sentences

Answer: (C)

The holophrastic stage is when a single word stands for an entire idea or statement. This typically appears around 12–18 months. The defining feature is that one word carries broad meaning and relies on context, gesture, and intonation to convey the message. For example, saying “milk” might mean “I want milk” or “That is milk,” depending on the situation. Later, vocabulary grows and children begin combining words into two- or multi-word utterances, which happens around 18–24 months and beyond. So the option matching 12–18 months with a single word conveying broader meaning is the best choice.

The holophrastic stage is when a single word stands for an entire idea or statement. This typically appears around 12–18 months. The defining feature is that one word carries broad meaning and relies on context, gesture, and intonation to convey the message. For example, saying “milk” might mean “I want milk” or “That is milk,” depending on the situation. Later, vocabulary grows and children begin combining words into two- or multi-word utterances, which happens around 18–24 months and beyond. So the option matching 12–18 months with a single word conveying broader meaning is the best choice.