Learning to talk
9-minute read
Key facts
- Learning to talk is an important part of your child's development.
- Babies learn to communicate by watching and listening to the adults.
- Your baby may communicate by crying or babbling, helping their speech skills.
- As your baby grows, they should develop their language skills.
- Reading, speaking and interacting with your child helps them learn to talk.
Learning to talk is an important part of a child's development. Learning how to communicate clearly using words and language takes practice and repetition over a very long time.
As a parent, it can help to understand how your baby develops their own unique communication skills.
How do babies learn to talk?
Babies learn to communicate by listening to the people around them, especially their parents. They will listen to you talk and watch your facial expressions.
Even young babies learn to recognise their parents' voices.
When should my baby's speech develop?
As your child develops, they will learn more about language and communicate in their own way.
See below for what you can expect as your child grows and learns to talk.
Up to 6 months
Your child can:
- make eye contact
- make facial expressions
- cry
- coo and gurgle
- point
- blow raspberries
- laugh
From 6 to 9 months
Your child can:
- babble
- sounds out syllables like 'baba
- make 'b' and 'm' sounds
From 9 to 12 months
Your child can:
- try new sounds
- say words like Ma-ma and Da-da
- wave goodbye
- respond to their name
- recognise about 10 simple words
From 12 to 24 months
Your child can:
- form clearer words like 'dog' and 'ball'
- say more than 50 words
- try and copy your sentences
- start to put words together
- say no
Between 3 and 4 years
Your child can:
- ask questions
- use larger sentences
- join in rhymes and songs
- recognise familiar patterns in books
- play 'make believe'
- understand between 1500- 2000 words
Between 4 and 5 years
Your child can:
- recognise some letters, sounds and numbers
- be understood by most people
- use past and future verbs
- count
- speak in imaginary situations like 'I hope this happens'
How can I help my baby to learn to talk?
There are things you can do to help your child learn to speak.
You can:
- speak clearly to your child daily using their name and see how they respond
- imitate their sounds
- show interest when they try to speak to you, even if they trip over their words
- name things when you use them and actions when you do them
- praise them when they learn a new word
- speak to them at their eye level so they can see your mouth move
- read to your baby every day, using books with big, bright pictures
When should I be concerned about my baby's speech development?
Check your baby's Child Health Record book to make sure they passed their hearing test at birth. Sometimes a second test is recommended. If that happens, the hearing test will need to be repeated in a few weeks.
Hearing loss for any reason can cause delays in learning to talk.
'Red flag' stages of speech development
Every baby is unique and develops in their own time. Many things affect how your child will learn to talk.
Spotting speech delays or problems early can make a big difference in getting the right level of support.
Keep an eye out for 'red flags'. These are signs that could show problems in the early stages of a baby's development.
Take your baby to see a doctor if:
- you have any concerns about your child's development
- your child doesn't react to sights or sounds
- your child doesn't babble or make many noises
- they don't seem equally strong on both sides of their body
- they are not interacting with you or other people
- they have limited eye contact
- they seem floppy, or stiff and tense
You should also see a doctor or if you child is stuttering.
Resources and support
Check with your child health nurse if you have any concerns about your baby's development. Your doctor will also be able to refer your child for assessment and treatment if it's needed.
Speak to a maternal child health nurse
Call ºÚÁϳԹÏ, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.
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Last reviewed: May 2025
