What potential issue can arise with language development during middle and late childhood?

During middle and late childhood, children are typically expected to enhance their language skills significantly; however, some may experience communication difficulties. These difficulties can manifest as challenges in articulating thoughts clearly, understanding complex sentences, or using appropriate conversational skills, which are critical for effective interaction with peers and adults.

Language development in this stage is quite dynamic, with children learning to navigate more complex linguistic structures and social norms. For some children, various factors such as learning disabilities, environmental influences, or social anxiety can impede their ability to effectively communicate. By recognizing these potential challenges, parents and educators can provide support and interventions that help facilitate better language skills.

In contrast, the other options describe positive aspects of language development that typically increase during these years, such as vocabulary acquisition, grammatical skills, and verbal fluency. While these skills are generally flourishing during middle and late childhood, communication difficulties highlight the variations in individual development and the need for attention in language learning processes.