Toward the end of the first year, your baby will begin to communicate what she wants by pointing, crawling, or gesturing toward her target. She’ll also imitate many of the gestures she sees adults make as they talk. This nonverbal communication is only a temporary measure, however, while she learns how to phrase her messages in words.
Do you notice the coos, gurgles, and screeches of earlier months now giving way to recognizable syllables, such as “ba,” “da,” “ga,” and “ma”? Your child may even stumble on words such as “mama” and “bye-bye” quite accidentally, and when you get excited she’ll realize she’s said something meaningful. Before long she’ll start using “mama” to summon you or attract your attention. At this age, she may also say “mama” throughout the day just to practice saying the word. Ultimately, however, she’ll use words only when she wants to communicate their meanings.
Even though you’ve been talking to your baby from birth, she now understands more language, and thus your conversations will take on new significance. Before she can say many, if any, words, she’ll probably be comprehending more than you suspect. For example, watch how she responds when you mention a favorite toy across the room. If she looks toward it, she’s telling you she understands. To help her increase her understanding, keep talking to her as much as possible. Tell her what’s happening around her, particularly as you bathe, change, and feed her. Make your language simple and specific: “I’m drying you with the big blue towel. How soft it feels!” Verbally label familiar toys and objects for her, and try to be as consistent as possible—that is, if you call the family pet a cat today, don’t call it a kitty tomorrow.
Last Updated 8/1/2009
Source Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5 (Copyright © 2009 American Academy of Pediatrics)
The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
