Amazingly, a baby’s language development begins before he or she is born. Research shows that in the 7th prenatal month a baby shows signs of relaxation (a decrease in heart rate) at the sound her mother’s voice.

So, keep in mind that your role in your baby’s language development begins around the same time as most baby showers.

Another astonishing thing about language development is that it usually occurs quite naturally. Your baby cries and you respond. Your baby smiles and you smile back. And so a conversation begins. Within a couple of years, your toddler’s words begin to provide you with a window into just what she is thinking.

Here are some typical developmental patterns in oral language development and some ways to participate its growth:

Age	Verbal Milestones	Ways to participate
Fetus	Recognize and respond to their mother’s voice as early as 7 months of gestation.	During pregnancy, use a variety of high and low pitches while talking to your baby.
Newborn	Use listening—as well as all of their senses—to take in pitches and tones.	Follow your inclination to talk and sing  to your baby in a high, exaggerated tone (parentese) to help her distinguish sounds.
Infant	Cry to express hunger, discomfort, and sadness. Smile, babble, and laugh to communicate satisfaction and joy. Point to show interest and ask for information.	Respond quickly to your child’s non-verbal cues—such as crying, smiling, and laughing. Use facial expressions and body language to communicate effectively. Continue to talk to your child frequently and begin label objects that catch her interest. Begin reading to your child daily. Even if she doesn’t understand the words, the rhythm and sounds of the words build language capacity.

Keep in mind that language develops in various ways and at various speeds. Therefore, if other children the same age show signs of greater development, you do not need to be overly concerned. However, be sure to discuss any observations about possible delays with your pediatrician to be sure that an intervention is not needed.

By Anne Oxenreider

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