California’s parenting website

Between four and 11 months of age, language development includes listening and making sounds.

4- 6 months:

• Reacting to and moving eyes to noises or sounds

• Listening and responding to people and music

• Beginning to use consonant sounds in babbling(e.g. “da, da, da”)

• Using babbling to get attention and during play

• Making different kinds of sounds to express feelings (happy,upset, etc.)

• Noticing toys that make sounds

• Giggling and laughing

7 to 12 months:

• Looking when you point

• Turning and looking in the direction of sounds

• Responding to name

• Understanding words for common items and people (e.g., cup, truck, juice, and daddy) by turning to them or using them when named

• Starting to respond to simple words and phrases, like “No,” “Come here,” and “Want more?”

• Playing games with you, like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake

• Listening to songs and stories for a short time

• Babbling long strings of sounds, like mimi, upup, and babababa with different sounds and rhythms]

• Using sounds and gestures to get and keep attention

• Pointing to objects and showing them to others

• Using gestures like waving bye, reaching for “up,” and shaking head “no”

• Imitating different speech sounds

• Saying one or two words, like hi, dog, dada, mama, or uh-oh (sounds may be unclear but intent is clear)

• Participating in two-way communication

• Following some routine commands (when paired with gestures) and responding to simple directions (e.g., “Come here”)

• Imitating sounds

• Meaningfully using “mama” or “dada.”

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