Is your baby speaking well while growing up?

Being a parent is one of the most soothing experiences in the world; we see a seedling grow before us in a graceful manner, bringing joyful babbles into our lives. From the first smile to the first word, every milestone brings joy and wonder. However, sometimes this same could be as daunting as joyful it seems, especially when the baby fails to grow well according to age. One of the most important milestones is when your baby starts to speak. Communication is key to building relationships, expressing needs, and navigating the world, and when the child fails to do it, worries rise and make us sweat. So, what can you do to help your baby speak well as they grow?

How should babies speak according to their age?

It's important to remember that every baby develops at their own pace, so don't stress too much about timelines. Sometimes a child might not speak for even 2 years and then suddenly throw babbles into your lap.

• • 0-3 months: Babies make cooing and gurgling sounds in response to their environment and caregivers.
• • 4-6 months: Babies begin to babble and make repetitive sounds like "babababa" or "mamama".
• • 7-12 months: Babies start to use gestures like pointing and waving, and may say their first word around 12 months. They also start to imitate sounds and intonations of speech.
• • 12-18 months: Vocabulary starts to expand rapidly and babies may say up to 20 words or more. They also begin to put words together to form simple phrases like "more milk" or "daddy go".
• • 18-24 months: Language skills continue to develop and babies start to use pronouns like "I" and "you" and ask simple questions like "What's that?" or "Where's mommy?"
• • 2-3 years: Sentences become longer and more complex, and language becomes more abstract. Toddlers can engage in conversations and express their thoughts and feelings as they see and grow alongside you.

However, don’t worry if your baby is not catching up to these milestones. Everyone speaks at their own pace.

Now, what can you do to help your baby speak well?

What to do to make your baby speak well?

As a parent, you want to give it all to your children (just don’t give them phones). To help your baby speak gracefully, there are a few things you can do:

• • Start with talking to your babies as it helps them learn sounds and understand the meaning beneath these sounds. Not many parents realize the impact that talking to their babies has on their language development. Please, talk to your baby while you're changing their diaper, feeding them, or just hanging out. You can describe what you're doing, talk about what you see around you, or just have a conversation with them.
• • And who doesn’t love playing with toys? Where toys might seem playful, they also play a role in your baby's language development. Choose toys that encourage your baby to make sounds, like rattles or musical instruments. Board books with simple words and bright pictures can also help your baby learn new words and associate them with pictures. If the cost is too much for you, consider free Shopify alternatives that sell baby & kid stuff at a fair price, thereby leaving some savings to you.
• • Also, sing some melodies and songs to them. Babies love music, and singing to them helps them learn new words and improve their listening skills. You don't have to be a great singer, just choose simple songs and sing them often.
• • Reading to your baby is a great way to expose them to new words and stories, and it also helps develop their imagination and cognitive skills.

Research has shown that babies who are exposed to a variety of sounds and languages early on are more likely to have better language skills later in life. So, by talking, reading, and singing to your baby, you're setting them up for success. Celebrate little things with them, after all, the more joyful they are, the more peaceful you are.