True or False: Children must first understand objects and relationships before using words meaningfully in expressive language.

Understanding objects and relationships is foundational for children when developing expressive language skills. The ability to grasp the meaning of objects—what they are, how they relate to one another, and the actions associated with them—forms the basis upon which meaningful communication builds. Before children can effectively use words to express their thoughts and feelings, they need to have a conceptual framework that includes recognizing objects and their interactions.

When children comprehend that certain objects represent specific ideas or actions, they can then begin to label those objects or actions with appropriate words. This cognitive understanding supports the acquisition of vocabulary and the development of more complex language abilities, where they can create sentences that reflect their understanding of relationships between objects (e.g., "The dog is eating the bone").

Thus, the initial understanding of the world around them is crucial for successful expression in language, validating the assertion that children must first understand objects and relationships before effectively using words in a meaningful way.