Cognitive and Language                       Development Milestones

               Birth to 12 months

             Baby Language Milestones:          Helping your Infant Learn Language

The first words don’t happen all at once. Babies learn to talk by listening, watching and interacting with you.

 Smiles and interactions with others (birth–3 months).

In this initial stage of development, babies tend to smile, coo, and make sounds. They also cry differently to communicate different needs. Use  everyday routines to make the most of interactive opportunities and increase one-on-one time where you are completely attentive to your baby.

 Babbles (4–7 months) and makes both short and long groups of sounds (7-12 months).

Model the language skills your child should be developing during everyday activities. Play around with sounds such as ba ba ba, pa pa pa, and ma ma ma. Get face-to-face with your child and show them how to babble.

When can I start signing with my baby?

You can begin signing with your baby soon after they are born, but keep in mind that your baby may not be able to sign back until after they are 6 months old. Remember all babies develop differently and it may take time for the baby to understand signs and sign back. 

3 Steps to Start Signing With Your Baby.

1. Try using simple signs during everyday experiences, focusing on three different words or signs. Say the words slowly and clearly as you make the signs. Words for objects are the easiest to start with because you can immediately show what your sign means.

2. Practice signing to your baby often and ask other caregivers to sign to them as well. The more exposure they get the more likely they will begin to sign.

3. Be sure to consistently use signs when talking to baby. After about two months of signing baby might begin signing too. Don’t be discouraged if baby doesn’t sign back, it may just take some more time. 

Check out baby’s communication milestones and more. Follow their milestones on the next page.

0-3 Month Milestones and Abilities

~Milestones~

Milestones are behavioral or physical checkpoints in children’s development as they grow. All of our developmental milestones are validated by American Academy of Pediatrics findings. These are the core skills all children should be able to achieve.

~Abilities~

Abilities are additional skills your child should be developing. These are important skills that look at your child’s overall behavior to gauge their progress.