Birth to One Year

What should my child be able to do?

Hearing and Understanding	Talking
Birth-3 MonthsStartles to loud soundsQuiets or smiles when spoken toSeems to recognize your voice and quiets if cryingIncreases or decreases sucking behavior in response to sound	Birth-3 MonthsMakes pleasure sounds (cooing, gooing)Cries differently for different needsSmiles when sees you
4-6 MonthsMoves eyes in direction of soundsResponds to changes in tone of your voiceNotices toys that make soundsPays attention to music	4-6 MonthsBabbling sounds more speech-like with many different sounds, including p, band mChuckles and laughsVocalizes excitement and displeasureMakes gurgling sounds when left alone and when playing with you
7 Months-1 YearEnjoys games like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cakeTurns and looks in direction of soundsListens when spoken toRecognizes words for common items like “cup”, “shoe”, “book”, or “juice”Begins to respond to requests (e.g. “Come here” or “Want more?”)	7 Months-1 YearBabbling has both long and short groups of sounds such as “tata upup bibibibi”Uses speech or noncrying sounds to get and keep attentionUses gestures to communication (waving, holding arms to be picked up)Imitates different speech soundsHas one or two words (hi, dog,dada, mama) around first birthday, although sounds may not be clear

What can I do to help?

• Check your child’s ability to hear, and pay attention to ear problems and infections, especially when they keep occurring.

• Reinforce your baby’s communication attempts by looking at him or her, speaking, and imitating his or her vocalizations.

• Repeat his or her laughter and facial expressions.

• Teach your baby to imitate actions, such as peekaboo, clapping, blowing kisses, pat-a-cake, itsy bitsy spider, and waving bye-bye. These games teach turn taking that is needed for conversation.

• Talk while you are doing things, such as dressing, bathing, and feeding (e.g., “Mommy is washing Sam’s hair”; “Sam is eating carrots”; “Oh, these carrots are good!”).

• Talk about where you are going, what you will do once you get there, and who and what you’ll see (e.g., “Sam is going to Grandma’s house. Grandma has a dog. Sam will pet the dog.”).

• Talk about colors (e.g., “Sam’s hat is red”).

• Practice counting. Count toes and fingers.

• Count steps as you go up and down them.

• Teach animal sounds (e.g., “A cow says ‘moo’”).