Normal Development:

• Can recognize their caregiver’s voice and prefers that voice over others (0–4 months.)

• Starts to make open-mouthed and vowel sounds (for example, “ooh” and “aah”) (0–4 months.)

• Begins to add some consonant sounds (for example, “baa” and “goo” and “ma”) (5–7 months.)

• Can imitate some sounds (1–4 months.)

• Turns  head towards a familiar voice (2–4 months.)

• Begins lip reading (2–8 months.)

• Expresses needs and feelings through sounds and cries (3–8 months.)

• Uses sounds to communicate pleasure and displeasure (4–7 months.)

What You Can Do:

• Have back and forth conversations (give your baby plenty of time to respond.)

• Talk face-to-face and get close!

• Sing nursery rhymes (babies enjoy the rhythmic patterns.)

• Sportscast! Talk to your baby about what you’re doing (for example, bathing, dressing.)

• Encourage babbling by repeating what your baby says and adding more syllables (for example, baby says “ba” and you say “ba-ba-bottle.”)

• Show your baby your tongue and practice simple sounds together (for example, ‘maa, daa’.)

• When your baby makes a sound, repeat it, so they can hear their sounds.

• Pick a word and show your baby what it means (for example, blanket.)

• Read your baby board books (point and label as you read, name the main character after your baby.)

Our Advice:

• Listen to your baby’s sounds and don’t interrupt them.

• Talk to your baby as much as you can.

• Limit background noise (radio, tv) so your baby can focus on one thing at a time.

• Remember that your baby is still very young—try not to expect him to be able to do things beyond what’s normal for his age.

• Remember, some babies develop faster in some areas and slower in others.

Try not to compare yourself to other parents, or your baby to other babies. Every family is different.

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