Can’t wait to hear your baby’s first word? It’s an exciting milestone! Babies usually go through stages of babbling before they start talking. Most babies begin babbling around 4 months and start repeating sounds like “Da Da” or “Ma Ma” by 7 months. By the time they’re about 12 months old, many babies say their first clear word.
Babbling is a big deal because that is when babies begin to copy the sounds of the languages they hear around them. Babies begin experimenting with sounds, listening for reactions, and learning how to interact socially. Keep reading to learn how babies move from babbling to talking and how you can help them along the way. Babies exposed to sounds from more than one language at this stage are advantaged as they repeat these different sounds in their babble and gradually morph the sounds into words. Competency in more than one language starts early.
How Babies Learn to Talk
Babies don’t just start talking overnight. Their speech develops in stages as they grow and learn to connect with the world around them. Here’s how it happens:
Turntaking (from birth)
Sensitive adults will note babies’ eye movements as they respond to sound and movement initiated by adults. After a few days, babies will attempt to imitate simple adult movements such as a tongue thrust. The pattern of adult movement, babies’ response, adult repetition sets up a simple turn taking interaction that forms the basis of all communication.
Babbling (From birth to 6 months)
From birth, babies start making sounds like “puh,” “buh,” and “muh.” These sounds are easy for them because they just need to put their lips together. At this stage, it might seem like random noise, but if you listen closely, you’ll notice changes in their tone. For example, their voice might go up at the end, like they’re asking a question, or they might mumble after someone gives them too many kisses. At this stage non-verbal communication attempts are more important than verbal ones and it is crucial that adults are responsive to babies’ non-verbal signals.
Babies turn-taking interactions become more sophisticated, as they are able to engage in more complex interactions such as when someone plays “boo” and the baby responds with a smile, a frown, or by withdrawing or leaning into a tickle. These early exchanges with sensitive adults, lay the foundation for communication. Research shows that these moments happen from day one, allowing babies to start understanding that communication is a two-way street. As they babble, they pause, waiting for a response, signaling their growing awareness of the back-and-forth nature of conversations.
First Words (Around 12 months)
By the end of their first year, babies start babbling in longer strings of sounds that mimic the rhythm and tone of adult speech. This is called the “jargon stage,” and it’s a sign that real words are coming soon.
Most babies say their first clear word around their first birthday. Common first words include “mama,” “dada,” “baby,” “ball,” “doggie,” “book,” and “hi.” Every baby is different, so don’t worry if their first word isn’t on this list! It actually all depends on the words they hear in the world around them – sadly some babies’ first word is “No” – what does that tell us about their early experiences! Babies learn to repeat the language sounds they hear around them. They gradually loose the capacity to hear and reproduce sounds from other languages they do not hear around them in their daily lives. Exposure to a rich range of meaningful language sounds makes a big difference to babies’ language development.
Did You Know?
Babies start communicating from the moment they’re born, even if they can’t talk yet. They use cries, facial expressions, eye movements and body language to tell you what they need. Most adults miss these subtle signals, but if we pay attention, we can understand a lot about what babies are trying to say.
If you’re curious about how babies might see the world, check out Tales of the 21st Century by Margaret Sims. This book includes short plays that mix humor and thoughtful reflections on modern life, offering a unique perspective on the world we live in.
Watching your baby learn to talk is an amazing journey. With a little patience and lots of interaction, you’ll be hearing their first words before you know it!
