Identify a true statement about gestures in infant language development.
A) Infants start using gestures, such as showing and pointing, at about 4 to 5 months of age.
B) Use of the pointing gesture becomes effective in the third year of life.
C) Use of the pointing gesture hinders infants' language development.
D) Some early gestures are symbolic, as when an infant smacks his or her lips to indicate food or drink.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Infants as young as 6 months old can use symbolic gestures, such as smacking their lips or rubbing their stomach to indicate hunger. However, the pointing gesture typically becomes effective around 1 year old, not in the third year of life as stated in option B. Option A is also incorrect, as infants can start using gestures as early as 8-10 months. Option C is completely false, as research has shown that use of gestures actually facilitates language development in infants.

Identify a True Statement About Gestures in Infant Language Development