Which aspect of language development is focused on understanding relevant meanings of words and sentences?

The focus on understanding the relevant meanings of words and sentences is characterized by semantics. Semantics is the branch of linguistics that deals with meaning in language. It encompasses the meanings of words, phrases, and sentences, and how these meanings combine to convey ideas and concepts. Through semantics, children learn not just the definitions of words, but also how context influences meaning, which is crucial for effective communication.

Phonology refers to the sound system of a language and how sounds function in that system, while phonemic awareness is a specific aspect of phonological awareness that deals with recognizing and manipulating individual sounds in spoken words. Morphology is concerned with the structure of words and how they are formed using smaller units of meaning, known as morphemes. While all these elements are important in language development, semantics is specifically the one that addresses understanding meaning, making it the correct choice.