When do babies start talking?

| | | Reviewed by: Rose Smith

We humans as social beings are extremely reliant on communications – whether it’s via expressive emotions or sometimes rather simple speech. Now that brings us to the question, to the source of this quest.

When does a baby start talking?

Further, delving into this discussion, it is, in fact, intriguing to know how communications begin at the initial stages. Perhaps it is an instinct-driven potential within us humans progressing through stages of growth to acquire simple skills as learning a few words and the complex phrases.

The babies starting a conversation (such as giggling, crying), has been a prolonged discussion among many, especially young parents. After all, how often do we get to witness something of such profound prominence?

Toddlers often react to music, and this Musical Baby Walker might help your baby learn his first steps and words.

Musical Walker for toddler

Toddlers often begin to acquire fairly comprehensible linguistic abilities around the age of 18 months to 2 years. This is often recognized as the crucial stage for not just allowing the development of an expressive form of communication but also, the suitable time for long term speaking skills.

The tender minds of the young often learn communication in the form of imitation. With this mode of learning parents must be careful while conversing in front of their children – most importantly, language skills.

At What Age Do Babies Start Talking?

Along with the paramount task of raising a young toddler, there are some bright sides too, such as witnessing their very first experience. The immense joy of being able to see their actions, which occur a handful of times in one’s life matters to most.

Happy kid with father

Now we will discuss the six developmental stages of babies as they begin talking.

STAGE 1 (0-3months)

This being the initial stage, there isn’t much to do, except to embrace the arrival of baby while she whines and her shrill unending cries. This is often the initial communication a baby makes as it slowly learns to adapt to a new environment having brought off the cocoon, she remained curled while she developed.

Read: Inspirational Birthday Wishes for Daughter

STAGE 2 (4-6 months)

As the baby grows, more developed form of emotions is witnessed which includes a random utterance of vowels or a cacophony babbling that makes no relevance. Also, at this stage, the baby learns to focus on the most frequently observed faces, and it often becomes a source of learning, usually the mother being the first recognizable character.

STAGE 3 (7-12 months)

As the memory enhances, the baby begins fraternizing with more members under the context of familiarity, her communication skills lean towards a more complex variety of vowels often, having observed the expressive calls from the people that pamper her.

This duration is of utmost relevance because the baby ascends the learning stage quickly as she learns to imitate a conversationalist behavior in a toddler dialect. At this stage, talking and singing will be the best ways to assist her skills.

STAGE 4 (13-18 months)

Finally having completed the initial stages and proceeding to a more intermediate state, the baby speaks in more rhythmic attire while she ends her words.

Often characterized as cute, by the adults, it is a meaningful tone of communication that the baby relies upon, to bond with the people. Hence she understands a friendly face from the rest and expects to be acknowledged in the similar tone of communication that instills trust and confidence within her.

STAGE 5 (19-24 months)

The baby grows into a better listener that is driven by curiosity and wants to understand newer events around her. So she often listens, when a conversation occurs among adults, she understands them partially. This influences her little choice of everyday scenario.

STAGE 6 (25-36 months)

It is when a toddler turns 2 years and older that she actively engages in a conversation, grammatically connecting sentences, often into an entertaining and a dramatic piece of argument. This is a stepping stone for her speech development, molding her into a better speaker and a great conversationalist.

Things to watch out for

Speech development is a complex task. It isn’t a mere imitation of words. It is to be nurtured to get the best results. Although it is a toddler’s instinct to watch and imitate, there is some caution to be exercised as parents. The conversations that parents have with a baby must never have a tone of aggression. It must be tender and have a more positive note to it.

Also if a child has trouble uttering words at the age of 3, it is wise to consider a medical intervention to assess the child for speech disorder and a speech therapist may suggest a positive method of recovery.

The other early symptoms to watch out are lack of response when called or when a child develops issue focusing on objects that are pointed at.

Tips for Parents

Parents often play a vital role in the development of their babies. In their growing stage, the toddlers need gentle attention which is often, in the form of reading, singing and most importantly conversing in a positive attitude.

Read book to your kids

Further, these little processes aid in their developmental skills both verbally and in the form of behavior. It is important to keep the baby engaged in active communication by touch and speech. Thus, patience is to be exercised to get the best results. It is also important when a child is communicating, the parents must give undue attention to their speech and what they speak about. These wishes may help you get the better linguistic ability.

The importance of their speech given by a parent can help them to become better listeners. Sometimes lack of attention from parents can lead the toddlers to often have issues with their speech and behavior.

Communication is one of the important human qualities. As a baby grows, these skills help them to become a better human being. Thus, it is vital to pay attention to their linguistic skills as they grow.

Furthermore, children often benefit the most when they are from a family with multi-linguistic abilities and the same special care is given to their developmental stages. Great conversationalists are often nurtured in the initial stages of what they become in the future.

Amy

About Amy Smith

Amy, an award-winning journalist with a Master's in Journalism from Columbia University, has excelled for over twelve years, specializing in parenting, pregnancy, nursing, fashion, and health.

Her acclaimed blog, AmyandRose, demonstrates profound expertise shaped by her journey from pregnancy to nurturing a teenager and a toddler. Recognized by several parenting awards, Amy's work has been featured in top-tier health and lifestyle magazines, underscoring her authority in these fields.

Her contributions, grounded in evidence-based research and personal experience, provide invaluable, credible insights for parents navigating the complexities of modern child-rearing and personal well-being.


For Educational Purpose Only! For medical advice, consult your physician.


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