Babies typically start talking around 12 months of age, although this can vary greatly among our little ones. Some babies may begin to say a few words we all patiently wait as early as 8 or 9 months, while others may not start until closer to 18 months.
From the first words they use to how to encourage them to get to talking, there are a lot of books out there that can provide guidance and information for parents who don’t know where to start. If you are looking for answers to when do babies start talking, check out Peekaboo’s wide range of parenting and pregnancy books to learn more!
What age do babies start talking?
All parents wonder when babies start talking and how they can help. In general, babies will first start to babble and make sounds around 6 months of age. This babbling will become more sophisticated over time and eventually turn into recognizable words. At first, these words may be simple, one-syllable sounds like "mama" or "dada," but as the baby's language skills develop, they will begin to use more complex words and phrases.
It is no mystery that every child develops at their own pace, and there is a wide range of "normal" when it comes to language development. If you have concerns about your child's language development and what age do babies start talking, it's a good idea to talk to your pediatrician or a speech-language pathologist.
Common First Words
It's important to note that every baby is different and may develop at their own pace, so some babies may say different words or have different communication patterns. As a caregiver, you can support your baby's language development by talking to them frequently, responding to their attempts at communication, and providing a language-rich environment. Some of these exciting early words include; Mama, dada, ball, yes, no, milk, bye, hi, cat, dog, etc.
How to Teach Baby to Talk
You can’t teach your baby to talk but you can support their development in that regard. There are some key activities you can share with your little one to encourage them to spell their first words out.
Try to talk to your baby frequently. Babies learn language by hearing it, so talking to your baby often can help them develop their language skills.
Providing a language-rich environment for your little one will definitely help them in their talking journey. Surround your baby with a variety of words and sounds by playing music, listening to podcasts, and talking to them about the things you see and do. Communicate with your little one and respond to their attempts. When your baby coos or babbles, respond to them as if you understand what they are saying. This will encourage them to continue to communicate with you.
Reading books together will not only help their cognitive skills but will also create great bonding time between you two. Reading books to your baby can help them learn new words and develop their vocabulary. Singing songs are definitely among the most preferred activities for our little ones. Singing songs to your baby can help them learn new words and practice different sounds.
Play games that involve language with your little one. Games like "peek-a-boo" and "pat-a-cake" can help your baby learn new words and develop language skills. If you continue to support your little one, you will contribute a lot to their little efforts. It might be a small step for you, but surely it is a huge step for our little ones!
