Which statement describes a communication milestone at 10-12 months?

• A. Responds to familiar requests
• B. Imitates vocalization
• C. Uses gestures, names things, responds to familiar requests
• D. Anticipates routines

Answer: (C)

This milestone shows how a 10–12-month-old blends understanding with expressive signaling to communicate. At this age, babies commonly use gestures (such as pointing or reaching) to indicate wants or share attention, may begin naming familiar objects or people, and understand and respond to simple, familiar requests. Together, these behaviors reflect both receptive language (understanding) and early expressive language (using gestures and naming), which is why this option best describes the typical communication milestone for 10–12 months.

Responding to familiar requests alone shows understanding but not the accompanying expressive gesture use or naming. Imitating vocalization is earlier babbling behavior and doesn’t fully capture the integrated communication skills at this age. Anticipating routines reflects social cognition and predictability rather than a core communication milestone.