What is described as a rapid increase in a child's vocabulary?

The term that describes a rapid increase in a child's vocabulary is known as a vocabulary spurt. This phenomenon typically occurs during early language development, often around the ages of 18 to 24 months, when children seem to learn new words at an accelerated pace. During this period, a child might go from knowing just a handful of words to acquiring dozens, marking a significant developmental milestone.

This spurt is often characterized not only by the number of new words learned but also by the way children begin to connect words with their meanings and start to use them in more varied contexts. This rapid acquisition reflects cognitive growth and increased ability to understand and process language. The events that accompany this spurt can include social interactions and increased exposure to language, which further facilitate vocabulary development.

While other options refer to various aspects of language or vocabulary, they do not specifically capture the rapid and noticeable increase in word usage that defines a vocabulary spurt.