Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) Early Childhood Education Practice Test

What is a milestone in language development for a 3-year-old child?

1. Using complex vocabulary

2. Speaking in complete simple sentences

3. Formulating questions

4. Understanding abstract concepts

The correct answer is: Speaking in complete simple sentences

For a 3-year-old child, speaking in complete simple sentences is a significant milestone in language development. At this age, children typically begin to combine words into coherent sentences, which reflects their growing understanding of how language functions. This ability represents an important step in their communication skills, enabling them to express their thoughts and needs more clearly, thus facilitating social interactions and language use. While using complex vocabulary or formulating questions may emerge as a child approaches age four or five, and understanding abstract concepts usually develops even later, the formation of complete simple sentences is a hallmark of the linguistic capabilities expected around the age of three. This milestone indicates that the child is not only expanding their vocabulary but also starting to grasp the rules of syntax and grammar, which are foundational for effective communication.