Helping Your Baby with Language Development (Ages 8-12 Months)

Your baby is learning new sounds and words every day! Learn how to help your baby develop their language skills.

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What can I expect as my baby grows up?

At age 8 months, your baby can...

• Laugh, coo and gurgle
• Try to copy different sounds
• Stop when their own name is called
• Lift their arms when you ask “Want up?”
• Make single syllables or two syllables, such as “ba,” “da” or “ka” or “baba,” “dada” or “gaga”
• Listen to sounds from themselves and others

At age 10 months, your baby can...

• Look at people and objects when named
• Wave in response to “bye-bye”
• Might say “mama” or “dada”
• Shout to get your attention
• Use babbling sounds like real words
• Play peek-a-boo
• Repeat a sound or series of sounds

At age 12 months, your baby can...

• Point to 2 body parts on themselves when you say their names
• Follow simple directions
• Point to objects for you to get them
• Copy familiar words
• Say 2 or 3 words besides “mama” or “dada”
• Make 3 animal sounds

How can I help my baby develop language?

• Talk and silly sounds
• Talk to your baby during your everyday activities. Talk to them about new places or situations as if they can understand you.
• Keep your words simple and clear.
• Teach your baby the names of familiar items, people and places.
• Show interest in all the sounds you hear. Tell your baby about these sounds as if they can understand you. This can include ice clinking in a glass, rain falling outside or the doorbell ringing.
• Play games and sing songs
• Read colorful books to your baby every day.
• Read nursery rhymes.
• Sing songs.
• Play simple games, like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake.
• Stay engaged
• Look into your baby’s eyes when they make different sounds.
• Respond to your baby’s coos, gurgles and babbling as if they were real words.
• Show delight with your baby’s efforts to talk, make sounds or point to objects.
• Limit screen time (the time your baby spends using a device with a screen)

Rev. 6/2018