Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessments (AEPA) Practice Exam 2025 – Your All-in-One Guide to Exam Mastery!

A two-and-a-half-year-old's language development can be significantly impacted by various factors, and having frequent ear infections is a strong candidate for contributing to a language delay. Ear infections can result in temporary or sometimes lasting hearing loss, which is crucial for language acquisition. Children learn to communicate by listening to the sounds and words around them, and if their hearing is compromised, it can hinder their ability to pick up language skills effectively. Frequent ear infections during such a critical development period may mean that the child is not receiving the auditory input necessary for normal speech and language progression.

The other options, while they may have their effects, are less likely to be significant influences on language delay. For example, a lack of interest in books may suggest limited exposure to literacy, but it does not directly impair the ability to hear or understand spoken language. Being in a daycare that emphasizes play can actually be beneficial for language development, as play often involves social interactions and communication. Lastly, exposure to multiple languages at home can foster bilingualism, which, while it may lead to some initial language delays in comparison to monolingual peers, ultimately enhances cognitive flexibility and linguistic skills as the child grows.