Final answer:
Children generally start to refer to themselves using personal pronouns by the age of 2 to 3 years, aligning with developmental milestones in self-recognition and language acquisition.
Step-by-step explanation:
A child will typically begin to refer to him or herself by age 2 to 3 years. This development coincides with children's growing self-awareness and cognitive abilities. By the age of 2, children can name and/or point to themselves in pictures, revealing evidence of self-recognition. This is a critical stage in their psychosocial development, as they encounter the challenge of autonomy versus shame and doubt, a concept introduced by psychologist Erik Erikson. They exhibit autonomous behaviors, like wanting to choose their clothes and asserting their will with the phrase "I do it." When they reach 3 years, children begin to use short simple sentences and questions, demonstrating an increased understanding of their own identity. By age 4, they can cooperate with other children, share when asked, and separate from parents with little anxiety, behaviors that mark their understanding and use of personal pronouns to refer to themselves.