Milestoneunknown· 4.5y–5y

Defines simple words by function or category

Child answers 'what is a ___?' by describing function (e.g. 'a ball is for throwing') or category (e.g. 'a dog is an animal')

Unknown

What the research says

Framework evidence being indexed.

Full quotes, source languages, and document links coming soon as we finish the source-evidence indexing pass.

Normative evidence

1 source back this milestone. The bars below show the age range each source covers.

This milestone4.5y–5yDenver II0mo–6y012243648607284months
Milestone windowClinical instrument
The coral bar shows this milestone's typical age window. The bars below show the age coverage of each backing source.

What mastery looks like

Not yet

Cannot yet child answers 'what is a ___?' by describing function (e.g. 'a ball is for throwing') or category (e.g. 'a dog is an animal')

  • No observable behavior matching this construct
Emerging

Beginning to attempt child answers 'what is a ___?' by describing function (e.g. 'a ball is for throwing') or category (e.g. 'a dog is an animal') with direct adult support

  • Requires significant prompting or physical guidance
Developing

Demonstrates child answers 'what is a ___?' by describing function (e.g. 'a ball is for throwing') or category (e.g. 'a dog is an animal') inconsistently or in structured settings

  • Achieves with mild support
  • Inconsistent across contexts
Secure

Consistently demonstrates construct across contexts

  • Reliable performance without prompting
Reflexive

Masters construct; generalizes spontaneously

  • Applies skill spontaneously in novel situations

Activities for this (1)

Formal assessments

No matching assessment items indexed yet.