Anticipating that first spoken word? Your little one is absorbing everything you say and will soon discover how to respond.
When Do Babies Start Talking?
Babies typically start attempting to communicate with words that carry meaning between the ages of 9 and 14 months. Prior to this, they will engage in various sounds, including cooing and playful vowel-consonant combinations. According to Dr. Emma Thompson, a pediatrician at the Community Health Center, your baby’s vocalizations may sound charming and nonsensical, but they are key steps toward meaningful speech.
By around 9 months, you might notice your baby experimenting with sounds like “ma-ma” and “da-da.” While these may not have specific meanings at first, it’s a sign that they are beginning to understand how to form words.
A Typical Speech Development Timeline:
- By 4 Months: Babies start to coo and make noises in response to others.
- By 9 Months: They begin to babble and string sounds together.
- By 12 Months: First meaningful words, like “mama” or “dada,” emerge.
- By 18 Months: Vocabulary expands, often to 10-25 words.
- By 2 Years: Many toddlers can say around 50 words and start forming simple sentences.
If you’re looking for ways to encourage your baby’s speech development, consider engaging them in conversation, reading aloud, and singing songs. These activities not only foster language skills but also create a bonding experience between you and your child. To explore more on baby names, check out our article on the top baby boy names starting with ‘C’.
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In summary, while each child develops at their own pace, being attentive and engaged can help foster your baby’s speech development. Expect to hear those first real words between 9 to 14 months, and remember to enjoy the journey! For more on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource on Modern Family Blog.