Language development

The first words

Language grows step by step, and the range is wide. 0-3 months: cooing. 4-6 months: first syllables. 7-12 months: mama, papa with meaning. Around 12 months: the first word. 18 months: often 10-50 words. 24 months: first two-word sentences. Comparing with other children only worries you – your child walks their own path.

Making language a gift

The more loving words your child hears in the early years, the richer their vocabulary becomes. Accompany daily life with language: Look, now we take the red jacket. Speak clearly and in real words rather than baby talk – your child learns from you.

Reading from day one

Even newborns enjoy being read to – not for the story but for your voice and closeness. From about 8 months your child may join in, turn pages, point. Ten to fifteen minutes a day is plenty. It is shared time, not a study programme.

Playful conversation

Language grows in the back and forth. After your words, pause and give your child time to answer – with sounds, looks, gestures. Sing together, play finger games, name what you see. These small dialogues are worth more than any app.

Multilingual welcome

If your child grows up with several languages, that is a gift, not a risk. They may mix them at first or start talking a little later – this evens out. It helps when each caregiver mostly keeps to their language. All of your child languages are equally valuable.

When advice helps

Trust your instinct and have it checked to be safe if your child does not point or babble by 12 months, speaks no single words by 18 months or does not combine two words by 24 months. Early speech therapy helps a lot – and asking is never wrong, it is caring.