What is a key characteristic of the one-word utterance stage in language development?

A key characteristic of the one-word utterance stage in language development is that while babies may only use single words to express their needs and thoughts, they are actually able to comprehend a variety of spoken words. This stage, often occurring around the age of 12 months, indicates that babies have developed a foundational understanding of language. They may not be able to string multiple words together yet, but they can recognize and respond to words that refer to familiar objects, people, or actions in their environment.

Understanding this concept is crucial because it shows the gap between expressive and receptive language skills in early childhood. During this stage, although children might be limited to saying one word at a time, their ability to understand language is far more advanced, laying the groundwork for future language development and communication skills.