An infant's first word is usually spoken, on average, at about ____ months of age.

The average age at which an infant speaks their first word is generally around 12 months. This developmental milestone marks a significant progression in language acquisition, as children at this age begin to demonstrate the ability to connect words with objects or actions in their environment. By 12 months, many infants have been exposed to language and have developed the ability to reproduce sounds they have heard, leading to their first recognizable word.

While some infants may say their first word a bit earlier, around 10 months, and others may take a little longer, the average timing is accurately cited as around 12 months. This period reflects the culmination of cognitive, social, and motor skills necessary for verbal communication. After this initial word, growth in vocabulary typically accelerates, with children rapidly expanding their language skills.

The other choices reflect ages that are either too early or too late based on typical developmental timelines for speech. Although some variation exists among individuals, the consensus in developmental psychology and early childhood education emphasizes the 12-month mark as a typical threshold for first words.