Between 6 and 12 months, your baby is learning to communicate in amazing ways! They might not be talking with words yet, but they’re becoming expert communicators.
What Communication Looks Like at This Age
At 6-12 months, babies communicate through:
- Babbling sounds
- Pointing
- Gestures
- Facial expressions
- Crying
- Squealing
- Copying sounds
The American Academy of Pediatrics says, “Babies understand much more than they can say during this time.” [1]
Stages of Early Communication
6-7 Months:
- Makes lots of babbling sounds
- Responds to their name
- Laughs and giggles
- Starts to understand “no”
8-9 Months:
- Babbles with more sounds like “ba-ba” or “ma-ma”
- Uses gestures like waving “bye-bye”
- Points at things they want
- Plays simple games like peek-a-boo
10-12 Months:
- Understands simple commands
- Says first words like “mama” or “dada”
- Shakes head for “no”
- Tries to copy your sounds and words
How to Encourage Communication
Talk to Your Baby All Day Long
- Describe what you’re doing
- Talk about things you see
- Use simple, clear words
- Make eye contact when talking
Example: “I’m making a sandwich. Look, here’s bread. Bread is yummy!”
Read Together Every Day
- Point to pictures in books
- Let baby touch the pages
- Make funny voices
- Read the same books over and over
Play Communication Games
- Peek-a-Boo
- Helps baby learn people don’t disappear
- Teaches turn-taking
- Makes baby laugh!
- Copying Sounds
- When baby makes a sound, copy it
- Wait for them to make another sound
- Take turns “talking”
- Name Game
- Point to things and say their names
- “Look, ball! Red ball!”
- Let baby point too
Signs of Good Communication Development
Your baby is doing great if they:
- Turn when you call their name
- Understand simple words like “bottle” or “mama”
- Use gestures to communicate
- Make different sounds when happy or sad
- Try to copy your sounds
When to Talk to Your Doctor
Contact your pediatrician if by 12 months your baby:
- Doesn’t respond to sounds
- Doesn’t use gestures like waving
- Doesn’t make any consonant sounds
- Doesn’t seem to understand simple words
- Doesn’t look where you point
Dr. Kimberly Noble, a child development expert, explains, “Every baby develops differently. What matters is steady progress.” [2]
Fun Communication Tips
- Sing songs
- Talk during diaper changes
- Respond when baby makes sounds
- Use sign language with simple words
- Be patient and have fun!
The Power of Listening
Listening is just as important as talking. When you:
- Watch your baby’s face
- Notice their gestures
- Respond to their sounds You help them learn communication skills!
The National Institutes of Health reports that talking to babies helps build brain connections that last a lifetime. [3]
Remember
- Every baby is different
- Communication is more than just words
- Your love and attention are the best teachers
Enjoy this magical time of watching your baby learn to communicate!
References
- American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). “Developmental Milestones: Communication.” HealthyChildren.org.
- Noble, K. (2022). “Early Childhood Communication Development.” Child Development Journal.
- National Institutes of Health. (2023). “Infant Brain Development and Communication.” NIH.gov.
