How Babies Learn To Talk

A baby learns to talk by listening to voices and sounds. Your baby makes sounds to tell you how he/she feels or what he/she wants. Babies develop at their own rate. Some babies do things at a young age and some take a little longer.

Very young babies (up to 3 months old) will

  • make noises (eg., coos, gurgles)
  • turn towards a new sound
  • jump at a loud noise
  • be calmed when you speak in a gentle voice
  • smile at you

By 6 months, most babies will

  • watch your face when you talk
  • cry in a different way when hungry
  • make noises to get attention
  • make sounds back when you talk
  • smile at you and other family members

How YOU can help your baby’s speech and language grow

  • 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 react to your voice or other sounds.
  • Your baby does not smile or make sounds when awake.
  • You have questions or concerns about the way your child’s speech and language skills are developing.
  • You want to refer your child for a speech and language assessment.
  • You want more information on other topics related to speech and language development.

don’t wait - early help makes a difference!

call 519-272-8216
or toll-free 1-866-333-7716
and ask for smalltalk