In middle and late childhood, what aspect of language do children develop that involves thinking about language?

In middle and late childhood, children develop metalinguistic awareness, which is crucial during this stage of cognitive and language development. This concept refers to the ability to think about and reflect on the nature and functions of language itself. At this age, children begin to understand that language is a system with rules, and they gain insight into how language can be manipulated for various purposes, including humor, persuasion, or expressing complex ideas.

Metalinguistic awareness allows children to differentiate between language forms and meanings, recognize ambiguities or ambiguities in language, and understand that words can have different meanings depending on context. This skill is essential for reading comprehension and effective communication, as it enables children to analyze their language use and understand how language structures affect meaning.

While vocabulary expansion, grammar strength, and listening skills are also important aspects of language development, they do not specifically encompass the reflective and analytical processes that characterize metalinguistic awareness. Therefore, the correct choice effectively captures this significant milestone in children's language development during middle and late childhood.