Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)

What is the estimated age of a child observed running and communicating that they just learned how to run?

1. 12 months

2. 18 months

3. 24 months

4. 36 months

The correct answer is: 24 months

The age of 24 months is consistent with typical developmental milestones for running and communication skills in children. By this age, many children start to exhibit a higher level of physical coordination, allowing them to run with more stability and confidence. In addition, language development at 24 months often includes the ability to express simple concepts and convey recent achievements, such as stating they have just learned to run. This aligns with the expected progress in both gross motor skills and expressive speech development during this stage of early childhood. In contrast, at 12 months, children are typically mastering walking rather than running, and their verbal skills are limited to a few words or sounds. At 18 months, while some children may be beginning to run, they generally are not yet articulate enough to communicate about having just learned the skill. By 36 months, children have already mastered running and communication skills to a greater extent, making them less likely to express that they just learned to run. Thus, 24 months accurately reflects the developmental stage associated with this level of achievement.