How Babies Learn To Talk

A baby learns to talk by listening to voices and sounds. Your baby makes sounds to tell you how he/she feels or what he/she wants. Babies develop at their own rate. Some babies do things at a young age and some take a little longer.

Very young babies
(up to 3 months old) will:

When to call for help:

• make noises (eg., coos, gurgles)
• turn towards a new sound
• jump at a loud noise
• be calmed when you speak in a gentle voice
• smile at you

• Your baby does not react to your voice or other sounds.
• Your baby does not smile or make sounds when awake.

By 6 months, most
babies will:

When to call for help:

• watch your face when you talk
• cry in a different way when hungry
• make noises to get attention
• make sounds back when you talk
• smile at you and other family members

• Your baby does not react to your voice or other sounds.
• Your baby does not smile or make sounds when awake.