At about what age do infants typically say their first meaningful word, and what other language milestone often accompanies it?

At about what age do infants typically say their first meaningful word, and what other language milestone often accompanies it?

• A. Around 12 months; receptive language and gestural communication (pointing) often accompany.
• B. Around 6 months; babbling and cooing with gestures.
• C. Around 18 months; grammar explosion.
• D. Around 24 months; two-word phrases.

Answer: (A)

Infants typically say their first meaningful word around 12 months. At this stage, receptive language—the ability to understand spoken words—often accompanies the moment they start to speak, and they also use gestures like pointing to communicate and share attention. This combination reflects how language learning builds on social-communicative skills: understanding spoken language and signaling intent through gestures while a first word emerges. So the milestone you’d expect is a first word around a year, with a simultaneous uptick in understanding and gesture use to support communication.

Infants typically say their first meaningful word around 12 months. At this stage, receptive language—the ability to understand spoken words—often accompanies the moment they start to speak, and they also use gestures like pointing to communicate and share attention. This combination reflects how language learning builds on social-communicative skills: understanding spoken language and signaling intent through gestures while a first word emerges. So the milestone you’d expect is a first word around a year, with a simultaneous uptick in understanding and gesture use to support communication.