What age is associated with a child beginning to understand the concept of "no"?

The understanding of the concept of "no" typically becomes apparent around 9 months of age. At this developmental stage, infants start to recognize not only the words spoken by caregivers but also the social cues and context associated with those words. This means they can begin to differentiate between encouraging and discouraging commands.

Around this age, children often show signs of understanding and reacting to limits set by adults, which includes the word "no." They might display a reaction, such as looking away or showing a change in expression, when they hear "no" in response to their behaviors. This cognitive milestone is tied to their growing comprehension of language and social interactions, making 9 months a notable age for this understanding.

Prior to this age, infants may respond to tone and facial expressions but do not consistently grasp the meaning of specific words like "no." Therefore, as children approach 9 months, they enter a critical phase of language comprehension and emotional development, making this understanding of "no" an important aspect of their growth.