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For every parent, their child's first spoken word is a magical moment that stays in their memory forever. But before a baby says their first “mama” or “da-da,” their language development goes through many subtle and important stages. Many parents ask themselves: “When do children start talking?”, “Is it normal that my child is not talking yet?”, “How can I stimulate their speech?” and thousands of other similar questions that cause them concern.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at when and how a child's speech develops, what we can expect at each stage, how to help them start talking, and when it is appropriate to seek professional help.
When do children start talking?
Normal limits of speech development
It is important to know that every child develops individually and at their own pace. There are general guidelines, but no strictly fixed deadlines. For some babies, the first words come at 10 months, for others — after 15-16 months.
According to most pediatricians and speech therapists:
- At around 6 months, babies begin to make different sounds and respond to their name.
- At around 9-12 months, they begin to form their first meaningful syllables and attempt to say words such as “ma,” “ta,” “ba,” etc.
- Between 12 and 18 months, the first clear words appear, such as “mama,” “dada,” “give,” “bye,” etc. During this period, children begin to associate sounds and sentences with people or different activities. For example, “Where is mama?” and looking at her.
- Around 24 months, the child can say 50 or more words and begins to combine them into short sentences. For example, “mama give this,” “papa hold,” etc.
- After 3 years, speech becomes significantly more complex and vocabulary grows relatively quickly.
Stages in the development of speech in babies
From birth to 3 months
In the first months after birth, babies are not yet able to speak, but they actively perceive the voices of their parents. From the very beginning of their life, they recognize their mother's voice, react to different intonations, and begin to make their first sounds — cooing, crying, laughing. This form of passive speech is fundamental to building a language foundation and key to the formation of active speech later on.
From 3 to 6 months
The baby begins to actively make new sounds — cooing turns into incoherent speech and repetition of syllables such as “ba-ba” and “ma-ma.” The intonation begins to resemble real speech, although words are still absent. The child discovers the joy of sound communication and increasingly seeks interaction through voice.
From 6 to 12 months
This is an extremely important period. The baby already understands many words, even if they do not pronounce them. They can respond to their own name, follow simple commands (“give me the ball”), and point to objects. The first clear words appear, such as “mama,” “dada,” and “give.” Often, children aged 10-12 months already use 2-3 words.
From 1 to 2 years
Real progress in speech development begins. Vocabulary expands—from a few words at the beginning of the period to over 50 words at the end. Children begin to combine two words into short sentences: “mama give,” “daddy here.” They understand significantly more words than they can pronounce.
From 2 to 3 years
Speech becomes increasingly rich and expansive. Children begin to construct whole sentences, using personal pronouns, verb tenses, and questions. Vocabulary reaches 200-300 words or more. During this period, they begin to hold simple conversations and actively ask questions.
How can we stimulate our baby's speech development?
Talking to your baby: How to talk from day one?
Talking to your baby from birth is extremely important. Even though they don't fully understand, their brain registers language patterns, rhythm, and intonation. As we have shared in previous articles, the period up to 3 years of age is extremely important, as this is when the brain develops at the fastest rate. This is when the most neural connections are formed, which are then responsible for a number of key skills.
That is why the role of parents in everyday communication is extremely important. Every conversation, every word, every explanation helps the child enter the world of language gradually and naturally. Here are some simple but very effective ways to stimulate speech development from the very beginning:
- Speak slowly, clearly, and in simple sentences;
- Name objects: “This is a ball,” “Now we are eating a banana”;
- Describe what you are doing: “Now we are going to put on the bodysuit,” “We are going for a walk,” etc.
Studies show that the richer and more diverse the language environment around a baby is, the faster they build connections between sounds, words, and their meaning.
Games and activities that promote speech
Activities through games are a natural way to learn a language:
1. Singing songs
Simple songs with easy words, rhymes, and repetitive phrases help build memory, develop a sense of rhythm, and encourage the imitation of sounds and words. Through melody and rhythm, children more easily memorize new words and begin to reproduce them in the correct context.
2. Reading books and looking at pictures
Reading books and looking at pictures is a great way to enrich vocabulary. Naming the images helps the child associate words with the corresponding objects. So, when we ask, for example, “Where is the horse?”, they begin to recognize and associate the picture with the real object or animal with increasing confidence.
3. Games with animal sounds
Questions such as “What sound does a cat make? Meow!” engage the child in associating sounds with specific animals, which not only aids speech development but also helps them recognize different categories of objects. These games expand their vocabulary and develop their auditory memory, while at the same time making learning fun.
4. Repeating sounds and words
Encourage your baby's attempts to imitate you, even when their pronunciation is not yet perfect. Frequent repetition of the same words and sounds helps build stable speech patterns in the brain and facilitates the acquisition of new vocabulary. In addition, imitation is a natural mechanism through which children learn not only words, but also the correct intonation and rhythm of speech.
The role of sensory toys
Sensory toys, including the busy board, play an indirect but very important role in language development. They engage fine motor skills, attention, and concentration—all processes that are closely related to language skills.
When a baby performs certain actions on the busy board — turning gears, opening doors, pressing buttons — they develop coordination between their movements and the language centers in their brain. In addition, each activity is an opportunity for parents to explain what is happening: “Open the door,” “Turn the wheel,” “Press the button” — thus actively expanding their vocabulary.
👉 See our handmade busy boards, created with care to stimulate child development.
When should we be concerned about delayed speech?
Normal variation in development is wide, but there are situations in which it is advisable to seek professional advice:
- The baby does not babble or make sounds by 6 months of age;
- Does not respond to their name or voice by 9-10 months of age;
- They do not say a single word by 18 months;
- After 2 years, they do not attempt to connect words in simple sentences;
- They have difficulty understanding and following simple instructions;
- They show a clear lack of interest in communication.
The role of a speech therapist, psychologist, and pediatrician
If you have any doubts, consulting a specialist is the best approach. Speech therapists assess language skills, psychologists can assess social development, and pediatricians rule out medical causes. Early diagnosis and working with specialists significantly increase the chances of overcoming any difficulties.
Speech development is a complex and individual process that begins long before a child utters their first word. With careful observation, active parental involvement, and appropriate stimulating activities, we can support a child in their language acquisition.
Remember: there is no universal “right month” for starting to talk. The most important thing is for the child to progress at their own pace, and for you to create an environment filled with love, attention, and stimulating games.
