Which verbal operant helps prepare children for augmentative communication?

The correct choice, motor imitation, plays a crucial role in preparing children for augmentative communication. Motor imitation involves a child copying the actions or movements of another person. This skill is foundational for developing the ability to use tools, such as speech-generating devices or other augmentative communication methods, effectively. When children can imitate the actions of others, it helps them learn how to use these devices in a similar way.

The other options focus on different verbal operants that do not directly support the preparation for augmentative communication. For example, tacts are used for labeling objects or events, echoics involve repeating what another person says, and intraverbals pertain to responding to questions or prompts based on prior learning. While these skills are important in their own right, they do not specifically target the hands-on, action-oriented foundation that motor imitation provides for using augmentative communication systems.