Ace the California Teacher Credential Test 2025 – Elevate Your Classroom Game!

Telegraphic speech refers to the early speech patterns of young children, typically characterized by the use of simple phrases that often contain only a few key words while omitting less critical words such as articles and prepositions. This type of speech usually consists of 3 to 9 words and conveys the essential meaning of the message. For example, a child may say "want cookie" instead of "I want a cookie," demonstrating their ability to communicate effectively while using a limited vocabulary.

This communication method highlights a child’s understanding of language concepts, focusing on the most meaningful components. It showcases the development of language skills in early childhood, as children begin to string together words in ways that reflect their growing cognitive abilities, but without fully formed sentences or complex vocabulary.

Other choices involve sentence structure or complexity that do not align with the characteristics of telegraphic speech. For instance, complete sentences and complex grammatical structures indicate a more advanced stage of language development that typically comes later in childhood. High-frequency word usage does not capture the essence of telegraphic speech either, as it refers more to the frequency of specific words in language rather than the simplified structure of phrases used in early speech development.