What type of assessment is primarily used to understand a child’s language abilities?

The correct response highlights the use of informal assessments, such as play-based evaluations, as a primary means of understanding a child's language abilities. These informal assessments are particularly effective because they provide real-world contexts in which children naturally communicate and interact. Through play, children are often more relaxed and willing to express themselves, allowing evaluators to observe their language use, social skills, and cognitive abilities in a more authentic setting.

Play-based evaluations can also capture aspects of language development that standardized tests might not reflect, such as spontaneous language use, conversational skills, and the ability to follow social cues. These assessments take into account the child's unique environment and experiences, offering insights that are sometimes missed in more structured testing scenarios.

While standardized testing can provide useful information regarding a child's capabilities in a formal context, it may not accurately account for the nuances of everyday communication skills or may not reflect a child's full potential. Visual observation and family interviews are valuable parts of a comprehensive assessment but may not fully encompass the child's language abilities without the context provided by play.