Imitative language and symbolic maturity in the single-word period

The purpose of this investigation was to examine spontaneous vocal imitation and explore its relationship, if any, to symbolic maturity as revealed in, play. These two facets were examined during the period of single-word utterances and early multiword combinations. Language samples were drawn from videotaped data recorded in the homes of five female children at free play during a 1-year period. Results revealed that for these five children there were consistent patterns of imitation. Imitation at first was infrequent, increased rapidly, and then declined. Although the timing of imitation was not the same for each subject chronologically, its occurrence was consistent with symbolic development.This study was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Education. It was presented at the 1975 Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development.