Which of the following best describes the process of echoic verbal operant in children?

The echoic verbal operant involves the accurate repetition of heard phrases or words. This type of verbal behavior is crucial in the development of language skills as it means the child can imitate what they hear, demonstrating not just the ability to vocalize but also to match the sounds and structure of the communicated phrase precisely. This kind of repetition helps reinforce the connection between auditory stimuli and verbal output, enabling further learning and communication development. It is often used in teaching settings to enhance speech and language acquisition.

The other options involve different types of verbal behavior. Responding to commands refers to the ability to follow directions, which does not specifically require repeating phrases. Identifying characteristics of objects pertains to descriptive language and vocabulary development, while asking for desired items relates to functional communication and requesting, neither of which involve the precise mimicry characteristic of echoics.