The rapid acquisition of vocabulary by young children is referred to as what?

The term that describes the rapid acquisition of vocabulary by young children is fast mapping. This process involves children linking new words to their meanings after just a few exposures, often after hearing a word used in a specific context. For example, if a child hears a parent say "look at the dog" while pointing to a dog, the child may quickly understand what "dog" refers to, without needing extensive definitions or explanations.

Fast mapping is a crucial part of language development in early childhood because it illustrates how children learn efficiently and can connect new terms to concepts based on limited information. This ability allows for the rapid expansion of their vocabulary and supports further language skills, influencing their overall communication abilities as they grow.