Which Child Is Demonstrating Overextension?

Toddlers make categorical overextensions when they extend a word they know to other words in the same category. For example, if a child learns the word dog and then calls all four-legged animals "dog," he or she is making a categorical overextension.

Which of the following is an example of overextension?

Overextension occurs when a categorical term (a word used to describe a group of things) is used in language to represent more categories than it actually does. This happens in particular with very young children. An example is when a child refers to all animals as 'doggie' or refers to a lion as a 'kitty.

How does a child exhibit overextension?

Overextension happens when a child uses a more specific word in place of a word with a less specific meaning. ... Your child is eager to relate to both you and the world around him, and will regularly over and under estimate word meanings as he attempts to express thoughts and ideas.