Infant Language Development

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Infant Language Development

Infant language development is different for all babies. The one thing to keep in mind is that the more you interact with your baby the more your baby will try and talk to you and develop their speaking skills. If you don’t talk to your baby he may not try and talk as much.

Infant language development is another area where all children are different. Right from the start, some babies are very vocal, and others are quieter and calmer. This is mostly just genetic.

My sister started talking when she was only 9 months old! And she hasn’t stopped since. My friend’s son, on the other hand, would only babble gibberish until he was almost 3 years old! But now he talks just fine. Still, when your baby is ready to talk, it helps to clearly and slowly repeat the same words often.

Also, many babies don’t feel the need to talk if they communicate well through cries, pointing, and other sign language.

My niece knew a lot of words, but would still just point, because it was easier. Her parents had to stop responding to her, unless she said what she wanted. This softly forced her to start talking. Just keep in mind that this only works once your baby knows how to talk and just doesn’t bother.

2 TO 3 Months

Babies usually realize they can make sounds at about two or three months. This is a fun stage of infant language development because they will begin cooing and making all sorts of different noises.

Talking to your baby and having discussions with your baby is very important. A baby is soothed by the sound of your voice and loves the interaction.

You should spend a lot of time talking to your baby. Some people think it is silly because the baby doesn’t know what you are saying. (You’d be surprised! Babies understand a lot way before they can talk.)

You can read your baby a book with a calm voice. Most babies love to be read to. It doesn’t matter what you are saying. It is your voice that is important. Always use a calm voice when talking to your baby and try not to shout around an infant.

My mother was quite fanatic about this. She would never let anyone say anything bad or sad or angry while holding a baby, or even with a baby in the room.

She felt that it would disturb the baby, that somehow the baby is attuned to the emotional feel in the room, and gets scared from negative vibes. I think there is something to it. Who knows? But it certainly can’t hurt to create a “safety zone” of love around your baby.

Infant language development happens fast. As a baby realizes it can make sounds it will begin to try and talk to you. Some babies will sit and babble for hours while others may not be so talkative. But they are all soaking up information.

4 To 5 Months

Around four to five months a baby will realize they have control of their volume while they are talking. You will experience the baby yelling gibberish and sounds. Your baby may giggle from delight from the thrill of shouting or making new sounds.

Most babies think it is very funny when they get loud and talk a lot. At this stage of infant language development it is important to encourage your baby to talk. Although she is not making sense yet, always encourage the gibberish and talk to your baby.

My husband was a little less understanding. Sometimes, just for fun, our son would practice shrieking at the top of his lungs. (Quite a few people commented on how strong his lungs were.) It drove my poor husband crazy!

At 6 Months

Infant language development by six months: This is the average age a baby will say mama, dada, baba or something other simple “words.”

Many parents compete about which word the baby will say first, mama or dada. The first word is not who your baby is closest with. Your baby will try and put things together with his tongue. Whichever sound it finds easier, wins.

When you respond to the sounds your baby will continue to make them. Your baby may say dada first but if there is no response with it then the baby may move on to mama. One thing to keep in mind is that mama is easy because the baby only has to press its lips together.

My son’s first “word” was dada. It had no real meaning. Everything was just dada. Still, this made my husband very happy. But then, as he learned to talk more, he learned that I was Mama.

Then, for a few months, to my husband’s embarrassment and dismay, he would call both of us Mama! You can just imagine the scene: My son crawls over to my husband and wanting to be picked up, looks at him and yells, Mama. But, my husband got over it eventually.

Picking Up Words

Infant language development throughout the next few months seems to happen quickly. It is important to work with your baby and help it speak. Some babies don’t pick up words until they are 2 years old. Other babies speak full sentences and are very literate before they turn two.

If your child is not speaking fully by two it doesn’t mean there is something wrong. All children develop differently. The language development of a child is a lot of fun and can be a sudden transformation.

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