What is the approximate expressive vocabulary of a child by 18 months old?

By 18 months old, children typically have an expressive vocabulary ranging from about 10 to 25 words, with many achieving closer to the lower end of that spectrum. The most accurate range for an average 18-month-old would reflect that they can use approximately 10 to 15 words meaningfully in their speech; therefore, one could argue that this range aligns with the expressive vocabulary development milestones outlined in early childhood development research.

Children at this age are often in the early stages of language acquisition, learning to label familiar objects and express basic needs. While they may understand more words than they can express, the production of language is still relatively modest. This aligns with developmental theories that emphasize gradual vocabulary growth during this critical phase of language development.

It's also important to consider individual variability; some children might develop language skills at different rates, leading to a range in vocabulary use. However, the choice citing 5 to 20 words does not accurately represent the typical vocabulary milestone expected at this age.