Age 24 Months
A child who walks steadily and independently, counts 6-10 words, and points to two body parts is typically 24 months old (Answer A). 1
Developmental Milestone Analysis
Walking Development
- Independent walking is achieved at an average age of 12 months, with most children (75%) walking by 14 months 1, 2
- By 24 months, walking is not only independent but steady, representing mature gait patterns that develop well after initial walking onset 1
- The progression from initial independent steps at 12 months to steady, confident walking takes additional months of practice and refinement 3
Language Development
- Speaking 4-6 words occurs at approximately 15 months of age 1
- Speaking 10-15 words is achieved around 18 months 1
- Two-word sentences emerge at 19 months, which corresponds with a vocabulary of approximately 50 words 1
- A child with 6-10 words would fall between the 15-month (4-6 words) and 18-month (10-15 words) milestones, but the question asks about counting/knowing 6-10 words, not speaking them 1
Body Part Identification
- The developmental milestone table does not explicitly list pointing to body parts, but this cognitive-language skill typically emerges in the second year of life 1
- Body part identification requires integration of receptive language (understanding the request), cognitive recognition, and motor coordination to point 1
Clinical Reasoning
The combination of these three skills—steady independent walking (not just initial steps), vocabulary knowledge of 6-10 words, and pointing to two body parts—represents a developmental profile most consistent with 24 months of age 1:
- At 12 months: Walking just begins, vocabulary is limited to first real word 1
- At 17 months: Uses stick to reach toy and engages in pretend play, but language typically only 4-6 words 1
- At 19 months: Two-word sentences emerge with ~50 word vocabulary, exceeding the 6-10 word range in the question 1
- At 24 months: Walking is mature and steady, expressive language continues developing, and body part identification is well-established 1
Important Caveat
The question's phrasing "count 6-10 words" is somewhat ambiguous—it could mean either expressive vocabulary or the ability to count numbers. If interpreted as counting numbers (1,2,3...), this would also align with 24-month cognitive abilities, as counting emerges after basic vocabulary is established 1.