Dr. Ana Aznar
Table of contents
A parent wonders when their baby will start talking, and Dr. Ana outlines the typical timeline for speech development, from early vocalizations to forming simple sentences, along with tips to encourage communication skills.
When Do Babies Start Talking?
Question: “When do babies start talking? I have been reading to my 4-month-old and showing her flashcards with words, spelling them out, etc., but I'm not sure how long it will take for her to start understanding, talking, or trying to speak.”
Dr. Ana's Expert Answer
Typical Speech Development Milestones
Typically, children:
- Between 4 and 6 months, they vocalize back when talked to, and they can repeat sounds, such as ‘ooh’, ‘aah’, and ‘ba-ba’.
- Start babbling long strings of sounds like “bababababababa”, “mamamamamamama”, or “dadadadadada”, around 6 months of age.
- By the time they are 12 months, they start saying single words (e.g., “dada“, “dog“, “water“).
- Around 24 months, they start to put very simple sentences together (e.g., “more water”, “mummy more”).
Understanding Before Speaking
Babies can understand speech before they can talk. Babies between 6 to 9 months old start to understand the meaning of simple words. This is followed by a comprehension of more complex words, simple phrases, and their own names, typically by the age of 12 months.
How to Encourage Speech and Communication
Keep doing what you are doing to help your baby develop his speech and communication skills:
- Sing
- Read books
- Tell him stories
- Point to objects (e.g., “look at the cow”)
- Respond to your baby (e.g., if he says: “ba-ba”, respond to him: “Oh, you said ba-ba, ba-ba”). This interaction sets a foundation for communication.
- Describe your actions (e.g., “Mommy is washing your hair”)
Remember that not all babies develop speech and language on the same timetable. Some may go a bit faster, whereas others may be a bit slower. Keep an eye on your baby, and if you ever think he may be falling behind his peers, talk to his doctor.
Related articles:
- How Many Words Should a 17-Month-Old Say?
- Understanding Brain Development in Children
- How to Encourage My Toddler’s Speech Development
I hope this information helps!
Regards,
Ana
What Are the Stages of a Baby Talking?
Babies typically begin vocalizing with coos and babbles between 4-6 months. Around 6 months, they may string sounds together like "mamama." By 12 months, many say their first words, such as "dada" or "dog." Simple two-word sentences like "more water" often emerge around 24 months. Remember that every child develops at their own pace.
How Can I Encourage My Baby to Talk?
You can encourage speech development by actively engaging with your baby. Sing songs, read books, and describe your daily actions. When your baby makes sounds, respond to them to model conversation. Pointing to objects and naming them also helps build their vocabulary. These interactions create a rich language environment that supports their communication skills.
At What Age Do Babies Understand Words?
Babies start understanding simple words like "no" or their name between 6 and 9 months old. By their first birthday, their comprehension grows to include more complex words and simple phrases. This ability to understand language (receptive language) develops much faster than their ability to speak (expressive language), laying the foundation for future communication.
For more information, check out these popular topics:
- How Many Words Should My 17-Month-Old Say?
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- How Do I Deal with an Autistic Child as a Non-Parent? bab
Do you have any parenting questions for our parenting coach and expert, Dr. Ana Aznar? Ask for free today!
