Introduction

As a parent, witnessing your baby’s first words is a magical moment filled with joy and excitement. But when exactly do babies start talking? Understanding the milestones in language development is crucial for every parent. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the journey of language acquisition in infants, month by month, up to their first year. Additionally, we’ll delve into language delays, including their potential causes, and offer guidance on when to seek help, along with practical tips on how to encourage and support your child’s language development.

 

Before we get started here are a list of common first words:

1. Mama

2. Dada

3. Bye-bye

4. Hello

5. Ball

6. Dog

7. Cat

8. Car

9. Book

10. No

11. Yes

12. Bottle

13. More

14. Eat

15. Shoe

16. Hat

17. Banana

18. Baby

19. All done

20. Up

Remember, every baby is unique, and their first words may vary. Some babies may start with simple sounds or imitate animal sounds before saying specific words.

 

Language milestones by month

Month 1-3: During the first few months of life, babies communicate primarily through crying, cooing, and babbling. These early vocalizations are essential precursors to language development. Your baby may start making vowel sounds like “ooh” and “ahh” as early as one month old. Responding to these sounds with smiles, coos, and gentle conversation helps foster your baby’s language skills.

Month 4-6: Between four to six months, babies become more vocal and start experimenting with consonant sounds. You may hear repetitive babbling such as “bababa” or “dadada.” Encourage this babbling by mimicking your baby’s sounds and engaging in back-and-forth conversations. Reading aloud and singing nursery rhymes can also stimulate language development during this stage.

Month 7-9: By seven months, many babies begin to understand simple words like “bye-bye” or “mama.” They may also start imitating familiar sounds or gestures. Around eight to nine months, some babies say their first word, typically “mama” or “dada.” Celebrate these early milestones and continue to expose your baby to language-rich environments through talking, singing, and reading together.

Month 10-12: Between ten to twelve months, language development progresses rapidly. Your baby may start saying more words and attempting to communicate their needs and desires. Encourage this communication by labeling objects, narrating daily activities, and responding to your baby’s attempts at speech. By their first birthday, most babies can understand simple commands and say a few recognizable words.

 

How to encourage your child to talk:

1. Create a language-rich environment: Surround your child with opportunities for language exposure through talking, singing, and reading.

2. Respond to your child’s vocalizations: Encourage babbling and early attempts at speech by responding enthusiastically and engaging in conversations.

3. Use gestures and visuals: Incorporate gestures and visual aids to help your child understand and communicate effectively.

4. Repeat and expand: Repeat your child’s words and phrases, and then expand on them to introduce new vocabulary and concepts.

5. Be patient and encouraging: Celebrate your child’s progress, no matter how small, and provide plenty of positive reinforcement along the way.

 

Language Delays: Causes, and Seeking Help

While every child develops at their own pace, it’s essential to be aware of potential language delays. Language delays occur when a child is significantly behind their peers in language acquisition. Several factors can contribute to language delays, including:

1. Hearing impairment: Difficulty hearing can impede a child’s ability to learn and produce language.

2. Developmental disorders: Conditions such as autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disabilities may affect language development.

3. Premature birth: Premature babies may experience delays in language development due to their early arrival.

4. Environmental factors: Lack of exposure to language-rich environments or limited interaction with caregivers can hinder language acquisition.

 

Here are some general age milestones for language development beyond the first year to help you determine if your child is experiencing some language delays:
• By 12 months: A baby should be babbling, imitating sounds, and saying one or two simple words.

• By 18 months: A toddler should have a vocabulary of at least 5-20 words and be able to follow simple commands.

• By 24 months: A toddler should be combining words into short phrases and using simple two-word sentences.

• By 3 years: A child should have a vocabulary of several hundred words and be able to carry on basic conversations.

 

If you notice that your child is not meeting these milestones or if you have concerns about their language development, it’s important to consult with your pediatrician or a speech-language pathologist. Early intervention can significantly improve outcomes for children with language delays.

 

What to expect when your child is evaluated for speech and language delay

When you notice that your child struggling with speech and language development, it can be a concerning and stressful experience. Understanding what to expect during the evaluation process can help alleviate some of that anxiety. 

Understanding Speech and Language Delays

Speech and language delay is a common developmental disorder that can affect a child’s ability to communicate effectively. It can be primary, with no associated comorbidity, or secondary, linked to other conditions such as hearing loss or developmental syndromes like Down syndrome.

Initial Consultation: History and Examination

When you take your child for an evaluation, the healthcare provider will conduct a thorough history and examination. The goal is to determine whether the delay is primary or secondary in nature. Here’s what to expect:

1. Developmental Milestones: The provider will ask about your child’s speech and language milestones. These are critical in assessing whether your child is developing at an expected rate.

2. Hearing Assessment: Since hearing problems can significantly impact speech and language development, the provider will inquire about any hearing tests your child has had, such as newborn screening results, and any history of ear infections or hearing loss in the family.

3. Other Developmental Aspects: Questions about your child’s motor skills and global development will help identify if other developmental delays might be contributing to speech issues.

4. Perinatal and Birth History: The provider will review details of the pregnancy, birth, and early neonatal period to identify any factors that might have impacted your child’s development.

5. Behavior and Social Skills: Understanding your child’s behavior, social interactions, and home environment is essential, as conditions like autism spectrum disorder can affect communication.

6. Physical Examination: A thorough physical exam will be performed to look for signs of conditions or syndromes that might be associated with speech and language delays.

Speech and Language Milestones

Here is a table summarizing the typical speech and language milestones that providers will reference during the evaluation:

Age of Skill Acquisition	Receptive Skill	Expressive Skill
Birth to 2 months	Startles at loud noises	Cries
2-4 months	Calms and responds to familiar voice	Coos
4-9 months	Deliberately turns head towards sound	Babbles
9-12 months	Responds appropriately to ‘no’	Uses jargon, says ‘mama’ or ‘dada’
10-16 months	Follows single-step command, responds to name	Produces single words
16-18 months	Vocabulary of 10 words
18 months-2 years	Points to pictures in response to words, imitates words spoken by others	Begins to use 2-word phrases
2-2.5 years	Listens to 5-10 min story	Uses 2-3 word sentences, vocabulary of approximately 400 words
2.5-3 years	Follows two-step commands	Uses plurals and past tense, uses 3-5 word sentences
3-4 years	Answers yes/no and who, what, where, why questions	Uses longer sentences of 4 or more words, asks questions
4-5 years	Attends to and understands short stories	Voice sounds clear, communicates easily and clearly with others

Management of Speech and Language Delays

Once the evaluation is complete, the management plan will be tailored to your child’s specific needs. Here are some common strategies:

1. Speech and Language Therapy:

   • Primary Disorders: For primary speech and language delays, therapy is often very effective. The speech therapist will work on improving specific skills based on your child’s individual needs.

   • Secondary Disorders: If the delay is due to another condition, such as hearing loss or a syndrome like Down syndrome, the child may be referred to other specialists for comprehensive care.

2. Hearing Loss Management:

   • Hearing Aids or Cochlear Implants: If hearing loss is detected, devices like hearing aids or cochlear implants may be recommended. Early intervention is crucial for the best outcomes.

   • Treatment of Ear Infections: Chronic ear infections can contribute to hearing loss. Treatment may include medication or surgical options like grommets (tiny tubes inserted into the eardrum).

3. Educational and Communication Support:

   • Special Education Services: Children with speech and language delays may benefit from special education services that provide additional support in the classroom.

   • Home-Based Strategies: Parents can also be trained to use techniques that support their child’s language development at home.

4. Multidisciplinary Approach: For complex cases, a team of professionals, including audiologists, speech therapists, pediatricians, and sometimes geneticists, will work together to create a comprehensive treatment plan.

5. Parental Involvement: Active parental involvement is crucial. Parents can help by engaging in regular communication activities, reading to their child, and creating a language-rich environment.

Navigating the evaluation and management of speech and language delays can be challenging, but understanding the process can make it less daunting. Early intervention and a structured approach to assessment and treatment can significantly improve outcomes for children with speech and language delays. If you have concerns about your child’s speech and language development, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to helping your child reach their full potential.