Babies are getting ready to become language learners even before birth, movement such as kicks, rolling, changing position and even stillness can often be in response to what they are hearing and feeling!
So when babies are born their communication journey has already started! Communication skills continue to develop as they begin to turn to sound, watch and listen and begin exploring sounds they can make themselves!
You are your baby’s first teacher and the most important person in their life – they are in great hands to continue their communication learning journey as they watch how you interact with them and the world around you.
What should my baby be able to do?
Birth – 6 months
- Your baby will turn towards familiar sounds and loud sounds might startle them
- Babies will recognise their parents voice and show excitement at the sound of approaching voices
- Your baby may watch your face and copy it’s movements
- At around 6 months your baby will start to make vocalisations and noises to get your attention, they will also make sound back when you speak to them.
- Babies will also start to sense different emotions by your tone of voice
6 – 12 months
- Your baby may start to recognise familiar words e.g. no, all gone, bye-bye
- You may hear strings of babble and your baby will start to take turns in babble conversation!
- At around 8-12 months your baby may start to use pointing – pointing can indicate the number of words a child knows!
- At around 12 months babies start to use single words – remember these may not always be clear.
How can I help my baby?
Talk to your baby from the moment they are born – they are taking everything in! Chat to them about what you are doing e.g. whilst cooking, doing household jobs, getting dressed, bath-time. Talk about what you can see, hear, feel.
Babbling is talking! When babies babble, make the same noises back, see how they take turns and anticipate what you might do next!
Play peekaboo and sing nursery rhymes – babies enjoy music and sounds!
- are not startled by loud noises;
- do not make eye contact when spoken to;
- do not smile back at someone smiling at them;
- do not watch a speaker’s face with interest.
BBC’s Tiny Happy People – have an abundance of videos, resources and ideas around supporting your babies early development – take a look below!
- 0-3 months – Tiny Happy People – Activities for 0-3 month olds (bbc.co.uk)
- 3-6 months – Activities for babies 3-6 months – Tiny Happy People (bbc.co.uk)
- 6-9 months – Tiny Happy People – Activities for 6-9 month olds (bbc.co.uk)
- 9-12 months – Tiny Happy People: Activities for 9-12 month olds (bbc.co.uk)
Check out our activities and events. There are lots of activities for parents and babies which will support your babies development but also lots of opportunities for fun!
What to do if you’re concerned
Remember no two children are alike and all babies will develop at slightly different rates! Some key things to look out for: by 12 months
- Not turning to sound/startled by loud noises
- No babbling/vocalisations
- No use of gestures e.g. pointing, reaching out
- Limited/no eye contact – not turning to speakers face/watching
If you have any concerns you can contact your Health Visitor or get advice from your nursery, childminder or local Family Hub:
Some extra help
- For a 6-week plan for getting your baby babbling and talking, head to our Chatterbox pages
- This website has printable leaflets, a poster and video clips alongside their top ten talking tips. Visit Greater Manchester Top Ten Tips for Talking
- The BBC has lots of tips and videos about language and bonding, broken down into ages ranging from 0 to five years. Visit Tiny Happy People
- Simple, fun activities for kids from newborn to five. Find out more at Hungry Little Minds
- Speach and launguage UK can help if you think your child is facing challenges with talking and understanding words.
