Two-Word Phrase Imitation

merged.language.two_word_imitation_14to24mo

Languagemeasurable14mo–2.5y

Measured by 2 instruments· Cross-instrument confidence:

What this is

Child can imitate simple two-word phrases immediately after hearing them

Instrument	Approach	Age range	Mapping confidence	Ref
ASQ-3 24mo Ages & Stages Questionnaires, Third Edition — 24 Month Questionnaire	Parent screening report Subscale: Communication	22mo–2.2y		communication_q2
Bayley-4 Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Fourth Edition	Clinician observation (developmental) Subscale: Expressive Communication	1mo–3.5y		expressive.two_word_phrases

“Approach” describes how the instrument assesses this construct, not the specific items. We never reproduce proprietary test items.

Consensus window: 22mo–2.2y (all 2 instruments overlap).

Baseline: developmental_24mo_en_gbAge: 2yLocale: en-GBTone: mixed

“If you say a little two-word phrase like 'more juice' or 'big lorry' and ask {child_name} to try it, does {he_she} repeat both words?”

Follow-up: “Does {he_she} get both words, or usually just the last one?”

Not yet

Repeats neither word

Emerging

Repeats one of the two words

Developing

Repeats both words with some clarity

Secure

Repeats two-word phrases clearly and often

Imitation is the bridge to spontaneous two-word phrases — they usually follow within a month or two.

The same canonical item shows up on the curriculum page with prerequisites, activities, and full developmental context.

ASQ-3 24mo
Squires, J., Bricker, D. (2009). The development of the Ages and Stages Questionnaires
doi:10.1111/j.1365-2214.2009.00996.x
Bayley-4
Aylward, G.P. (2020). New Bayley-4 Normative Data: Implications for Clinical Practice
doi:10.1097/DBP.0000000000000739