Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Early Childhood Practice Exam

Which language development characteristic is most typical of a three-year-old child?

1. speaking in complete simple sentences

2. pointing to objects and uttering a single word

3. combining two words together

4. speaking in complex sentences

The correct answer is: speaking in complete simple sentences

The characteristic of speaking in complete simple sentences is most typical of a three-year-old child because, at this age, children are generally expanding their language skills and are capable of producing more coherent and structured speech. By three years old, many children can form sentences that consist of a subject and a verb, and they may also include a few additional words to convey more complex ideas. This marks a significant development in their language abilities, as they move from producing single words or simple two-word combinations to more complete sentences. While pointing to objects and uttering a single word and combining two words together are behaviors associated with younger children, typically around ages one to two, speaking in complex sentences is more characteristic of older preschoolers, likely around age four or five. Therefore, the ability to use simple sentences aligns with the developmental milestones expected for three-year-olds as they communicate their needs and thoughts more effectively.