What does imitation verbal operant require from the child?

The imitation verbal operant focuses on the child’s ability to replicate or mimic actions or verbalizations presented by a therapist or instructor. This operant behavior is foundational in language development and learning social skills, as it involves observing and reproducing modeled behaviors. By copying an action performed by the therapist, the child is engaging in a form of learning that requires them to process what they see and then enact that behavior, which is essential for various aspects of communication and interaction.

In this context, the other options do not represent the core requirement of imitation. Answering questions correctly involves higher cognitive functions and does not necessarily require the same level of mimicking observable actions. Describing an object seen requires a different skill set focused on expressive language rather than imitation of actions. Lastly, following verbal instructions without prompts pertains more to receptive language skills and independence in task execution rather than the direct act of imitation. Therefore, the requirement of copying actions accurately captures the essence of the imitation verbal operant.