We parents can get a little anxious about milestones. While much of that worry is unnecessary for most of us, being aware of what’s typical can help us identify any potential developmental problems early, making any interventions needed more successful.
So, when do babies start talking?
Babies typically start to make cooing sounds when they are a few months old, which are early signs of their vocal development. Around 7-12 months, they start to say their first words like “mama” or “dada”.
Around this time, babies will also start to understand simple commands and gestures. By the age of two, most children can say about 50 words and can have short conversations.
But it’s very important to remember that every baby is unique and develops at their own pace. It’s completely normal for some babies to start talking earlier or later than others.
Key Verbal Milestones for Infants
Some key milestones to look out for include:
- Cooing: A baby’s first vocalizations usually consist of coos and goos, which are soft vowel sounds.
- Babbling: As babies get older, they start to combine sounds and make more complex vocalizations like babbling.
- First words: Babies typically say their first words around 7-12 months. Some common first words include “mama”, “dada”, “baba”, and “bye-bye”.
- Word combinations: Around 18-24 months, babies start to put two words together, like “more juice” or “big truck”.
Once again, it’s important to remember that every baby is unique and develops at their own pace.
Encouraging your child to talk by talking to them, reading to them, and playing with them can help them reach their milestones. Click here for a list of seven activities you can do with your baby to encourage them to speak.
If you have any concerns about your child’s development, it’s always a good idea to talk to your pediatrician.
