Children usually begin to say their first words around the age of 12 months and it can happen as early as 10 months. At around 1 year of age, most babies will start to say at least one or two words like “mama” or “dada” and many children’s first word is DADA. It’s not unusual for children to start learning their first word at 6 months if it’s one of the first words in their home.
Some babies may start earlier, while others may not say these words until later. Each baby is unique and will develop at its own pace. Parents can encourage their baby’s speech and language development by talking to them frequently and exposing them to a variety of words. In this blog, we will look at different ways of encouraging and help you understand how it all begins.
In This Article
When will babies say Mama or Dada?
As we said above babies start talking at the age of 12 months and it might happen when they are 10 months old. Some babies say mama and dada when they are 6 months old. The most important thing for you is to wait patiently and encourage your child to talk to you. The language skills of your child are the foundation of future learning.
Some babies say their first word around 10-12 months, but it might happen earlier than that. Some parents believe that mothers should encourage boys to speak more often because they usually do not begin to talk as early as girls. It is a common thing for a child to have a one-word vocabulary at age 1 and a two-word phrase at 2 years. When your baby starts to talk, try not to correct them when they pronounce a word wrong. Your kid will imitate what you say so instead of saying “No, it’s Mama”, try to repeat the same word in the way your child said it.
As well as your baby talk in 2-3 word sentences when they are between 12 to 18 months old. When your kid is not yet saying two or three words, you can help them learn how to say more words by repeating their attempt word sounds and making the connection with the appropriate objects or actions. You can also offer plenty of opportunities for your baby to mimic sounds and words being said by others.
Why babies start talking first word Mama or dada?
Most babies start talking first-word mama and dada . Why? This is due to the baby’s language skills, to begin with, which makes it easier for them to say their mother’s name. The truth of this thing can be observed by parents whose babies are always easier said the absorb words against other people.
Babies tend to have the ability to mimic sounds, especially their parents. Parents should start early in talking to their baby so that the baby has time to “memorize” language. By memorizing, then your baby can say your first word. It is important to remember that babies have different paces in learning how to speak, just like the rest of their skills, such as walking and climbing stairs. Every child has a natural pace for their mind from birth. If you want your child to start speaking early, then the best way is by talking a lot more with your baby. This can help your baby to develop language skills early.
After that, you should be patient while waiting for the baby’s first words. Don’t force your children with insistence mama and dada . You should not be doting your child’s mama and dada often especially when the baby is still shy to other people. The baby communicate recognisable words is also a way by which you can attract other people.
In addition, a baby’s language development milestones should be considered as an additional factor in the appearance of the first few words mama and dada . One of the important parts of language development is to make verbal sounds, especially from their parents even during infancy. In this case, your baby will feel close to the parents, and then you become one of the determinants mama and dada as a primary word for your baby.
When parents should worry if their child isn’t talking?
Parents know their children’s interests, habits, quirks, and even the vowel sounds they used before they started speaking. So if there is a sudden change in these things, parents should start worrying. There are different reasons why children may take speech delay and it is wise to seek medical professional help for the same. When a baby say mama and dada and suddenly stopped talking, this should make parents worried and prompt them to get medical help.
Therefore, speech and language problems often co-exist with autism because of which parents should not ignore the warning signs of speech problems in children with autism. Babies learn to make these sounds when they are exposed to language. Generally, baby talk is sing-song and repetitive, but not rhythmic. Parents who speak different languages get confused when introducing foreign languages to their children. Speaking of which, you should introduce one new word or phrase in baby talk for every ten normal words your child hears.
Parents will often hear baby talk coming out of the mouths of some adults who interact with babies and toddlers, in an attempt to communicate and bond with them. It can be sweet and endearing when adults do it right, but irritating when they go over the top. The consonant sounds include sh, ch, j, v, th (as in thin), and zh (as in leisure). But if an adult tries to talk back to a baby using these sounds it can end up sounding like gibberish.
It is important for parents not to use baby talk when their child reaches school age because talking like a baby sets up bad language habits that will make it difficult for children to communicate with their peers. The goal is to help children progress through the stages of talking until they are speaking normally, just like any other young age child. If that does not happen by preschool or kindergarten, parents should seek professional advice on how to help their child develop skills.
Tips parents should know
For developmental milestones of baby language here are some guideline for parents they should know:
- When your baby starts moving his/her hands and legs around, it’s a sign that he/she is trying to communicate something.
- By three months try to smile when you see your baby smile or make faces at him/ her. This may elicit a response from the infant such as cooing or laughter which means they are developing communication skills.
- Parents need to study a word baby’s body language so they can learn what he/she likes and dislikes. Your child will not be able to tell you in words but will try their best to show you by crying or protesting even before they have developed a full array of language skills.
- Physical contact is the beginning of bonding. When your baby starts reaching for objects, you should pick up the object and let him/her hold it for short periods while you are demonstrating how to handle it properly.
- Try every way possible to be patient, calm and reassuring with your child when he/she is learning new skills.
- Your baby with autism will require more time before he/she can respond to you or become social. You just need to be dedicated and never give up on him/her. Always keep trying and doing the best you can, your child needs unconditional love and lots of patience.
- When baby say mama and dada you should try to say one word and repeat it several times so the baby can learn new meanings of words.
- By the time your child is five years old, he/she will start communicating with more words and phrases.
- Be positive and show your baby that you are enjoying yourself. Give him/her love, affection, and encouragement every day by talking, reading books with him/her, touching his/her hands, or rubbing his/her back while he/she is sitting in a baby bouncer.
- Your baby learns by watching you so try to be mindful of what you are doing around your baby. You can learn new skills at any time of your child’s development.
- Remember that each person is unique with different talents and abilities, so give him/her opportunities to improve on his/her current skills rather than comparing them with other children.
- Parents can play a peek-a-boo game with their babies. If you find your baby not talking yet, try to talk with him/her and tell them what you’re doing. The more your baby hears things around them, the faster he/she will start to talk.
- If you are having problems speaking right to your baby it may help you to record your voice. You may also use a computer to type in text that you can then print out and give to your child when you are at work or out of town.
- Even if the baby is not making eye contact with you, he/she will see when you smile or hold up something interesting for him/her to look at.
- When you are reading with your baby, it is best to hold him/her close to you. He/she can see the pictures better and will start forming an emotional bond with you which is very important for his social development.
- Do not be discouraged if your child does not want to learn or communicate with you. One of the best things you can do is allow him/her time to adjust to changes.
- When your baby starts making noises or babbling, it may sound like nonsense but he/she will develop language skills in good time.
- Children with autism need to have a lot of social contact from parents, friends, and relatives so they learn to understand the difference between people.
- If your baby is not making noise or talking you can still be friends by learning his/her language of Autism which will help you talk more to him/her. Children with autism have a very difficult time communicating emotions and feelings, but they need our love most of all.
Therefore, the above tips may help you understand your baby better and take care of his/her needs and will help to strengthen the bond between you and your child.
The Bottom line
Babies are born with an innate ability to learn language. The process of learning the pronunciation of words is called “phonological development” and it starts at birth. As they grow, babies gradually begin to associate certain sounds with meaning by listening to their parents say words over and over again. Babies can identify their mother’s voice in the womb.
Studies show that babies will react to hearing their father’s voice at about 6 months old, but it takes until 9-10 months for them to say “dada.” This association between sound and meaning continues until about age five or six when children start using full sentences that contain complex grammar structures. It’s important for parents not only to talk a lot but also use natural, conversational speech so that baby can develop this skill properly. However, if you have any query regrading the above context then feel free to contact with us through a comment below.
