By 12 months, most children will
- understand their own name
- understand words like "bye-bye" or "up"
- say sounds like "ba ba, na na, ga ga"
- laugh and try to make sounds like you do
- say their first word<
How YOU can help your baby’s speech and language grow
(6 to 12 months)
- talk to your baby - talk about what you are doing when you are washing, dressing or feeding him/her
- use your baby's name when talking to him/her
- touch your baby
- repeat the sounds your baby makes
- face your baby when you talk to him/her
- do things that make your baby smile and laugh
- show your baby different sounds and talk about them (examples - play a music box, make animal sounds, crumple a paper bag)
- speak or make gentle sounds when your baby touches you, looks at you or makes sounds
- show your baby picture books and talk about what you see
- use lots of facial expressions when you are talking to your baby
- sing songs or nursery rhymes
- play simple games like "peek-a-boo"
WHEN TO CALL FOR HELP
- Your baby does not wave back at you when you say "bye bye" and wave.
- Your baby does not try to show you things by reaching or looking.