Speaking their minds: How babies and young children learn to speak

During their first three years, young children's brains grow and develop at a fast pace. Early childhood research suggests that these early years are when infants' and young children's developing brains are best able to absorb language.

Following is an age-by-age account that explains how babies and young children learn language and begin to speak, and describes approximate ranges when language development is likely to take place. Keep in mind that every child develops in his or her own way. Overall, it is less important that children hit speech milestones precisely as written than that they show steady growth toward speech throughout their early years.

Birth to three months

Long before they can string together words into sentences, babies learn about language from the sounds they hear. Before birth, babies take in sounds and the tones and rhythm of their mother's voice as vibrations that travel through her bones. As their hearing develops, they can also pick up speech patterns. Once born, babies listen to mom and dad's voices and begin to try out their own (e.g., crying when hungry, cooing when content). As they grow, they begin to recognize a parent's voice, turning to find the speaker and, much to mom and dad's joy, smiling in response. At this age, babies prefer calm, comforting tones, whether or not they come from their parents.

Four to six months

During this period, babies begin to differentiate between male and female voices and to respond to sounds other than speech and to different tones of voice, such as harsh versus comforting. For this reason, recorded music, toys that make sounds, even a ringing phone can be fascinating and help stimulate language learning. Gurgling and babbling, particularly "p," "b" and "m" sounds, are common now. In fact, it may sometimes seem that baby is carrying on a conversation. Babies also begin to use non-verbal gestures and facial expressions and "urgent" noises, instead of crying, to get what they need.

Seven months to one year

Babies become more attentive, obviously listening when spoken to. They turn and look when called by name. At this age, games such as peek-a-boo and finger plays like "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" are fun for babies and help expand their vocabulary and understanding of ways to use spoken words and sounds. Older babies may also begin to string together sounds they have been practicing into first words, such as "ma-ma," "da-da" or "bye-bye." Babies now recognize the name of familiar objects (e.g., ball, cat, phone) and begin to respond, with gestures or actions, to such requests and questions as "Give a kiss" or "More juice?" [top]

One to two years

Children can follow simple commands and answer questions, possibly with one to two simple words ("yes" or "no," "read book," etc...). By age two, most children understand two-part commands, like "Take off your shoes and put them on the mat." Older children also show an understanding of contrasts—for example, hot/cold and soft/rough. Repeated requests for favorite books, rhymes, songs or games are common. At this age, children obviously enjoy being read to or listening to mom or dad sing. Questions and comments become more common and detailed as children's vocabulary grows (e.g., "Where dog?" "What that?") Children's speech becomes clearer as more sounds and consonants are being used. Older children begin to use language to comment on their surroundings (e.g., "Wow!" "Big!").

Three to four years

Sentences become longer as children combine three, four or more words. They talk about things that happen away from home (such as trips and interesting outings) and carry on conversations with friends. Children's speech is generally clear and confident. Children understand and can respond to "who?" "what?" and "where?" questions with ease and details.

Four to five years

Children continue to enjoy being read to and ask simple questions about the stories. They hear well and speak in clear, easy-to-listen-to voices. Children can tell longer and more detailed stories about their day to family, familiar adults and even strangers. Their language and the sound of their words are generally clear and "adult-like," although such sounds as "r," "v" and "th" may still be difficult to pronounce. [top]

Spotting speech difficulties and delays

When it comes to language and speech development, it is best not to compare your child with others. Many things, including the child's personality, home environment (quiet and calm versus noisy and active), birth order, health issues and special needs can all influence language and speech development. Speech therapists say the most important thing is that language development falls in/around children's age range and is steady.

However, there are a number of signs that may indicate that your child is experiencing language or speech difficulty or delay, such as:

• First words not emerging by 18 months.
   

• By two years, a spoken vocabulary of fewer than 50 words. These words do not need to be pronounced in adult ways.
   

• Stuttering when speaking.
   

• Avoiding eye-contact and/or seeming overly uncomfortable talking with people outside of the family.
   

• A speaking voice that is regularly hoarse, without illness.
   

• Difficulty or inability to hear you and others.

Where to turn for help...

If you believe your baby or child's language learning is progressing too slowly or in an unusual way, it is important to seek help. Talk with your child's pediatrician about your concerns. He or she can help determine whether your child is experiencing developmental delays and can help arrange for additional speech/language assessment, available through your school district. [top]

Encouraging healthy speech development