holophrase

A holophrase is a single word that a young child uses to express an entire idea or message. For example, a child saying "milk" might mean "I want milk" or "Please give me milk." This typically happens during early language development, around the age of 12 to 18 months, when children are still learning to form full sentences. Holophrases help children communicate their needs and feelings before they have the vocabulary and grammar skills for more complex speech. They are an important step in language development, reflecting the child's ability to convey complete thoughts with minimal words.