Babies start learning the art of talking from their first one year. Before they speak their first word, they closely watch the adults around them and try to understand how they talk and how talking can be used for communication.

Babies mostly start the learning process by using their tongue and lips to make sounds. At first They cry, and then they start to "coo."

This usually takes place within the first three months. If you notice, babbling follows shortly after the oohs and with more practice, those sounds become words, real words that you and I can understand. They start to say the names of their elder siblings or anyone around them.

The saying that a child’s first bible is the people he/she has around is not a joke because as time goes on, your baby will learn more words from you, the parents, and everyone else around. As your baby develops mentally, emotionally, and physically, he/she also develops the use words so as to communicate better.


HOW TALKING STARTS AND DEVELOPS IN BABIES

I have long believed that language understanding starts while the baby is still in the womb. The baby gets used to his/her mother's heart beat as well as voice and he/she knows the difference between your voice and that of others.

Your baby’s first form of communication is crying and this happens between the period of birth to 3 months. As time goes on, the cry will change in sound and texture and will mean wanting attention for different things. As they grow, their use of sound will develop as well and
at this stage, they start to recognize what words really sound like and how they are used to structure sentences.


At 6 months, babbling starts in earnest. You find them combining two word letters, e.g. "tata". Note that though your child may start calling you mama but he/she is actually yet to attribute the name to you, it will take more time. Also at this time, your child will start to respond to he/her name.


At one years old, your baby’s babbling starts to make sense to you. That is because he/she has started trying out words similar to what they hear you use. You as a parent can help improve your child’s babbling by both talking and reading to him/her.


At two years, your child would have started using more words, and the good thing about it is that they know the meaning of what they are saying. They now realize the power of language communication.


At three years plus, babies usually would have learnt a number of basic words that they understand and they push on to learn more. You the parent, have to watch what language you use around your baby so as to prevent them from learning abusive words. Pronunciations may confuse your child but it won’t stop them from putting words together.


The vocabulary development will continue at age five. Not only will their words make sense to you, they will also be able to understand what you say to them and do as you instruct. At this stage, you can even have a meaningful conversation.

What Role Should You Play?
The major things you can do to help your child develop his/her speaking ability quickly is to

1. Talk to them.
2. Pay attention to what they say and respond
3. Read to them.

You are the best person to observe and know your child's development. If you notice some unusual behavior that you think may prevent your child from learning how to talk, quickly see a pediatrician for tests and evaluation. Quick action will save you and your baby a lot of anxiety and stress.
In my next article, I will list out some signs that show that your baby’s speech development may be hindered so that you will know if and when to go for help.

Till then, have a fun talk time with your baby. Cheers.


http://allbabies..com/2013/02/baby-talk-observing-your-babys-speech.html

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