It's hard to believe, but your baby is preparing to talk! From the moment he was
born, your baby started communicating his basic needs to you. At birth, your baby's
first cry meant, "Hey, I'm cold!" You responded to his needs and warmed him. That
was Baby's first form of communication. As he continues to grow, he will start to
make sounds, understand and use words and eventually participate in complex conversations.
And you won't have to wait too much longer for all of this to happen!
Birth to 3 Months
During the first few weeks of Baby's life, the two of you are getting to know each
other. When your baby cries, she changes her vocal volume and pitch to communicate
her needs. You learn to recognize that your baby is hungry, uncomfortable, wet,
tired or content by interpreting the difference between her cries.
Your newborn baby hears sounds and startles or awakens to noise. By day three, she
may be able to recognize her mother's voice and may even stop crying when she hears
it. On the ninth day of life, she may start to track sounds with her eyes. She may
turn her head toward her mother's voice and stop an activity if she hears an unfamiliar
sound.
From birth to about 3 months, your baby may be heard repeating vowel-like sounds.
This is known as "cooing" and is the beginning of her "vocal play." Vocal play eventually
turns into the use of speech sounds. Research indicates that a baby is born with
the ability to learn and use any language. Of course, your baby will only understand
and use the language(s) that she hears the most.
By 3 months, your baby may start to smile. After such a positive connection, you
will interact with your baby more by using words and facial expressions to encourage
another smile. She may respond to your interactions by smiling and making sounds.
You should follow your instincts and repeat these sounds to begin the process of
language modeling.
"As your baby begins to coo, imitate him," recommends Sharon Frank, M.A., CCC-SLP,
a speech-language pathologist in private practice and mother of 4-year-old Joey.
"This will tell your baby that you're listening to him, and it will also encourage
him to make the sounds."
Also at this age, a variety of vocal intonation patterns are used, and your baby
learns to interpret the inflection and tone of your voice. She is recognizing the
differences between your words, for example, when you ask a question or make a statement.
What can you do to encourage speech skills? "In this stage, babies tune in to the
parent's touch, facial expressions and vocalizations more than the parent's words,"
says Frank. "Focus on exaggerating your facial expressions and changing vocal pitch
when talking with your baby."
4 to 6 months
At around 4 months, your baby will start to respond to "no." He is now able to look
around for the source of new sounds and will attend to music. Between 4 and 6 months,
babbling begins. Babbling is when your baby uses more speech-like consonant and
vowel sounds including "p," "b" and "m." Your baby can babble when he is alone or
when he is playing with you.
"Imitate any babbling or words your baby is saying," says Frank. "As your baby points
to things, name the objects. Start to point to things for and with him and label
them ('bed, dog, Daddy'). Additionally, try to speak in one- to three-word phrases
(i.e. 'Mommy go bye-bye,' 'more milk')."
Jennifer Cronin, a kindergarten teacher and the mother of 6-month-old Lily and 2-year-old
Andrew, practices language modeling. "Every time Lily babbles to me, I say it back
to her," she says. "I talk in a lot of high-pitched tones because she delights in
it. I think she's having a conversation with me. It's way too cute!"
Cronin adds that she enjoys watching her son interact with her daughter. "Andrew
imitates Lily's babbling," she says. "I think it is wonderful that they talk together.
They are learning how to have a conversation and are responding to each other. This
is a skill that will be important for their entire lives, especially when they interact
with other children, for example, in daycare, preschool, kindergarten and beyond!"
Equally important is gesture development, because it leads to good language development.
A baby begins communicating his wants and needs by gesturing (reaching out, pointing,
etc.) around 6 months of age. Research indicates that babies can learn sign language
to communicate with their parents before they even speak a single word!
"Help him start to realize cause-effect relationships (shaking a rattle) and object
permanence (playing Peek-a-boo)," advises Frank. "These early cognitive skills are
important for speech and language development."
7 to 12 months
During months 7 to 12, your baby will start to enjoy Peek-a-boo and Pat-a-cake games.
He starts to recognize his name and common words (i.e. "cup," "diaper"). His understanding
of directions is emerging, and he begins to respond to requests such as, "Want more?"
Also, his babbling has developed to include long and short groups of sounds such
as, "upup, gagagaga." These babbles will form into what we know as words. Although
the words may not be clear, if your baby consistently uses the same sounds to indicate
an object or desire, then it can be considered a "true word." For example, if your
baby always says "mo" to indicate that he wants "more," acknowledge this as a true
word.
By 12 months, most babies have formed their babbles into one or two words like "dada,
bye-bye," or even "mama!" It's hard to believe that in 12 short months, a baby starts
to develop the ability to communicate with the world. From his first startle response
to speaking his first words, speech and language skills develop rapidly. It's not
surprising that research on brain development shows rapid growth occurring from
birth to 3 years of age.
Continue to foster great speech skills by talking to your baby often. "Use the most
of your immediate and surrounding environment to enhance your baby's speech, by
going for walks and pointing out the different things you see ('dog, house, car,
birds flying, mailman')," says Frank. "Do the same with things inside the house,
at the grocery store, at the park, etc."
During this time period, your baby is ready and willing to learn language, and you're
his best source to stimulate these skills. By providing a rich, language-learning
environment, you're providing your baby with skills that will last a lifetime!
Warning Signs
Developmental milestones are used as a guide to know what children typically do
at certain ages. Every child is different, however, and may meet these milestones
earlier or later than indicated. However, for this age group, you should be concerned
if:
Your baby does not startle or respond to sounds.
- By 3 months, your baby does not turn toward the source of sound or your voice.
- By 8 months, your baby does not babble, imitate speech sounds or use his voice
to gain your attention.
- By 8 to 12 months, your baby does not respond when people talk to him or show
interest in attempting to communicate.
If you have any concerns about your baby's hearing or speech/language, discuss them
with your pediatrician. Early identification of hearing, speech or language problems
is critical. Identifying potential problems early not only can assist with speech
and language development, but also can prevent difficulties in the future with behavior,
social interactions and academics.
By Mindy Hudon, M.S., CCC-SLP. A Special Pick From
