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
