When Your Baby Starts Talking – A Complete Guide to Speech Development

Speech development is one of the most important aspects of a child’s overall development. As a parent, you’re probably wondering when your child will say their first words and how the entire process of acquiring communication skills unfolds. In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through how a child’s speech develops step by step.

Stages of Speech Development in Children

Speech development is a complex process that begins even before birth. While still in the womb, the baby hears sounds and starts to get used to them. After birth, the child goes through clearly defined stages of speech development.

From 0 to 6 Months

In the first six months of life, the child:

• Makes vowel-like sounds (a, e, u)
• Responds to loud noises with startle reflex or crying
• Calms down when hearing a familiar parent’s voice
• Starts cooing around 2–3 months of age
• Begins babbling and “playing” with their voice at 4–5 months
• By the end of this stage, responds to their name and turns toward the source of a sound

From 6 to 12 Months

In the second half of the first year, you may observe:

• Babbling – repeating syllables (ma-ma, ba-ba, ta-ta)
• First attempts at imitating environmental sounds
• Understanding simple commands (“give,” “bye-bye”)
• Reacts to “no”
• Recognizes names of everyday objects
• Uses pointing gestures

From 12 to 24 Months

In the second year of life, the child:

• Speaks their first words with understanding (usually 8–10 words)
• Understands and follows simple commands
• Tries to imitate new words
• Starts combining two words into simple sentences
• Can identify basic body parts
• Understands about 50 words, though may not be able to say them all

From 2 to 3 Years

In the third year of life, we observe:

• Significant vocabulary growth (300–500 words)
• Creation of simple two- and three-word sentences
• Use of pronouns (I, you, mine)
• Asking simple questions (“What’s that?”, “Where?”)
• Naming most objects in their immediate environment
• Understanding questions about the past (“What did you eat?”, “Where were you?”)

From 3 to 5 Years

In the preschool years, the child:

• Builds complex sentences
• Tells short stories
• Asks lots of questions (“Why?”, “When?”)
• Can hold a conversation
• Pronounces most sounds correctly (except difficult ones like “r”)
• Uses 1500–2000 words actively

Remember that every child develops at their own pace. These age ranges are approximate and may vary by several months between children. What’s important is that speech development progresses systematically, with the child understanding more and making efforts to communicate.

Baby’s First Words

The moment a child speaks their first word is a major milestone in development. But before speaking, they go through a stage of understanding language. Studies show that children understand around 50 words before they say their first meaningful word.

When Does “Mama” and “Dada” Appear?

The first “mama” or “dada” with understanding usually appears between 8 and 12 months. Earlier utterances of these syllables during babbling (ma-ma-ma, da-da-da) are not yet true speech—the child is simply practicing using their vocal apparatus. We talk about a true first word when:

• The child uses it consistently to refer to a specific person
• They say it deliberately, not just imitating
• They associate the word with the person, even when that person is not present

Typical First Words

Besides “mama” and “dada,” common first words include:

• “no” – expressing disagreement
• “yum” or “num-num” – related to food
• “give” – expressing a need
• “there” – pointing direction
• Names of favorite toys
• Names of siblings or pets
• Onomatopoeia, e.g. “woof” (dog), “moo” (cow)

What Affects the Pace of Speech Development

The speed of acquiring speech skills depends on:

• Genetic predispositions
• Quality and quantity of interactions with caregivers
• Overall motor development
• Efficiency of the speech organs
• Hearing ability
• Environmental stimulation

How to Support Speech Development

You can support speech development through everyday simple activities. The key is to provide the child with proper language stimulation.

Effective Stimulation Methods

1. Talk to your child during daily activities:

• Name objects you’re using
• Describe what you’re doing (“Now mommy is washing her hands”)
• Comment on what your child sees

1. Have “conversations” with your infant:

• Respond to cooing and babbling
• Pause to give them a chance to “reply”
• Maintain eye contact

1. Use everyday situations:

• Name foods during meals
• Name clothing while dressing
• Describe surroundings during walks

The Role of Reading and Singing

Reading and singing regularly:

• Expands vocabulary
• Teaches correct pronunciation
• Trains auditory memory
• Builds a bond between parent and child
• Supports imagination development

The best results come from:

• Reading for at least 15–20 minutes daily
• Choosing age-appropriate books
• Reading actively with picture pointing
• Asking questions about the story
• Repeating rhymes and poems

When to See a Specialist

Although every child develops at their own pace, there are situations that should alert parents and prompt consultation with a specialist.

Speech Development Delays

It’s worth seeing a speech therapist if: In the first year:

• The child doesn’t respond to sounds
• No babbling by 8 months
• No response to their name by 12 months
• No understanding of simple commands like “give” by end of first year

In the second year:

• No meaningful words by 18 months
• Very limited vocabulary (fewer than 10 words) at age 2
• Does not understand simple two-step commands
• Does not try to imitate words

By age 3:

• Speech is unclear and not understood by others
• Does not form simple sentences
• Has difficulty following two-step instructions
• Does not answer simple questions

Warning Signs

Pay particular attention to:

• Lack of reaction to environmental sounds
• Inadequate response to verbal commands
• Speech development stagnation or regression
• Swallowing or sucking difficulties in infants
• Frequent ear infections
• Placing tongue between teeth when speaking
• Speaking through the nose
• Persistent throat-clearing or coughing

Most Common Parental Questions

Bilingualism and Speech Development

Raising a child in a bilingual environment:

• Does not cause speech delays
• May result in a temporarily smaller vocabulary in each language
• Provides a long-term cognitive advantage
• Requires consistent use of both languages

Bilingualism-supporting practices:

• One person – one language
• Regular exposure to both languages
• Natural communication situations
• Patience while awaiting results

The Impact of Technology on Speech

Use of electronic devices by small children:

• Limits natural social interaction
• May slow down speech development
• Cannot replace direct interaction with caregivers

Technology recommendations:

• Under 2 years – completely avoid screens
• 2–3 years – max 15–20 minutes per day
• 3–5 years – up to 1 hour per day
• Watch together and discuss content
• Choose age-appropriate educational programs

Remember, direct interaction with your child is the most important. No device can replace conversation, playing together, or reading books. It’s the everyday, natural communication situations that best support your child’s speech development.