First Year Hearing and Language
We humans are social beings. Our brains are programmed to learn language so we can communicate with one another. Your baby is no exception. He's been honing his listening skills since before he was born, and now he's learning to make the sounds that will become words and then sentences to last a lifetime
Like other developmental skills, babies go at communicating at their own pace. Try to be an active part of the conversation by playing, reading and singing to your child. Above all, be patient.
As a guide, here's how your baby may be communicating in his first year of life: Month 2
He'll start to copy some of your vowel sounds.
He will be able to recognize your voice.
Month 3
He can create different vowel sounds on his own, called cooing. Try mimicking each other's cooing, for practice and smiles.
Month 4
He often turns toward a noise as if looking for its location.
He should be able to turn his head toward a noise.
Month 5
He may start making consonant sounds like "b," "n" and "m."
Month 6
He will then string vowel and consonant sounds to babble sounds such as "bababa."
Month 7
He'll start babbling with adult intonations, forming clear syllables such as "ma-me" (mommy), imitating how you speak.
He's likely to babble to you when he just wants to talk to you.
Month 8
Babies of this age love to hear music, especially songs. They listen carefully, and sometimes their babbling sounds like the rhythm of a favorite song.
Month 9
He may be able to connect words with their meanings, by pointing to his shoe when he hears the word.
Month 12
He may understand the meaning of as many as 70 words.
He may be able to say three or more words.