Most babies say their first word between the ages of 10 and 15 months. However, the age range for a baby’s first word can vary quite a bit. Some babies may say their first word as early as 6 months, while others may not say a meaningful first word until closer to 18 months.
When do most babies say their first word?
On average, most babies will say their first word around their first birthday, between 10 and 14 months of age. However, there is quite a bit of variability when it comes to speech and language development. Some babies start talking earlier, while others start talking later.
Here is a breakdown of when most babies will say their first word:
- 6-10 months – Early talkers. About 10% of babies will say their first word this early.
- 10-12 months – Average. Most babies (about 75%) will say their first word during this timeframe.
- 12-15 months – Late talkers. About 15% of babies say their first word in this range.
- After 15 months – Very late talkers. Only about 5% of babies do not say their first word until after 15 months.
So while the average age is around 12 months, there can be quite a bit of individual variation among babies. The timing of the first word is not necessarily predictive of long-term language development outcomes. Babies develop at different rates.
Do boys and girls develop language at the same pace?
Some research has found that girls may develop language skills slightly faster than boys on average. However, the differences tend to be small.
One study found that girls said their first word around 11.4 months on average, compared to 12.3 months for boys. So girls were about a month ahead. But there was significant overlap in the age ranges.
Other studies have found similar small differences in the early language milestones between boys and girls. However, these gender differences tend to diminish as children get older. By the time children are 3-5 years old, boys and girls are developing language equivalently.
So while girls may reach some early language milestones slightly sooner, boys eventually catch up. Gender is just one factor that contributes to the variability in early language development.
Why do some babies start talking earlier?
There are a few key factors that can influence when a baby says their first word:
- Genetics – Speech and language development has a genetic component. Babies born into families with a history of early language development are more likely to start talking early.
- Environment – A language-rich home environment can promote earlier language. More interaction and communication with caregivers provides models for language.
- Birth factors – Babies born prematurely or with low birth weight may reach speech milestones later.
- Gender – As previously discussed, girls may develop language slightly faster than boys on average.
- First born – First born children tend to hit language milestones a bit earlier, perhaps due to more one-on-one interaction with caregivers.
So babies who have optimal genetics, enriched home environments, no birth complications, and other facilitating factors are more likely to start talking at the earlier end of the typical range.
Why do some babies start talking later?
There are also a variety of reasons why some babies may be late talkers and say their first words after 15 months:
- Hearing problems – Any degree of hearing loss can delay the onset of babbling and first words.
- Physical disability – Conditions impacting the ability to make speech sounds can delay talking.
- Autism – Many children with autism start talking later than typical peers.
- Cognitive disability – Intellectual disability can impact the onset of speech.
- Lack of stimulation – An impoverished home language environment may delay language.
- Temperament – Shy, reticent babies may not readily babble or talk.
- Gender – As discussed, boys on average say first words slightly later than girls.
- Birth factors – Prematurity, low birth weight, exposure to toxins in utero can delay language.
So a variety of developmental, environmental, and biological factors can cause a baby to start talking at the later end of the typical range or outside the expected range.
What are some of a baby’s first words?
A baby’s first word is a momentous milestone for parents. Some of the most common first words include:
- Dada
- Mama
- Bye
- Hi
- Dog
- Cat
- Up
- No
- Ball
- Baby
- Down
- Boo
- Uh-oh
These simple first words often refer to common objects or people in the baby’s environment or are basic communicative words like hi and bye. A baby’s first word usually has meaning for them.
It’s exciting for parents when a baby says their name (mama or dada) as a first word. However, babies don’t always associate these words with a specific parent early on. It may just be easier for babies to say simpler syllable words.
Some other trends in babies’ first words:
- First words often contain front consonants like m, b, d rather than back consonants which are harder to articulate.
- Names for favorite foods or drinks may emerge as early words.
- Interactive games like peekaboo or patty cake can elicit early words.
- Words with repetition like mama, dada, or baba are common.
With language and speech, babies tend to start simple. Their first words usually have significance and relevance to their daily lives and experiences.
Do all babies follow the same pattern of language development?
While there is a general progression in language development, not all babies follow the exact same path. Some key points about patterns in early language acquisition:
- Babies tend to comprehend language before producing it. Receptive language precedes expressive language.
- Babbling and gestures emerge before first words in most babies.
- Word comprehension develops before word production. Babies often understand words weeks or months before they actually say the word.
- Once babies start using words, vocabulary grows slowly at first. Early on, babies may only use a few words meaningfully.
- As vocabulary expands, word combinations follow. Babies string two words together around 18-24 months.
- Grammar and syntax develop gradually between 2-3 years old as word combinations advance to sentences.
However, the age and pace of progressing through these language stages varies across individual babies. Babies also differ in their early sound development and word choices based on factors like environment and temperament.
When should I be concerned about late talking?
While some babies are just late talkers within the normal range of development, others may have true language delays that require intervention. Here are some general guidelines on when to have a late talking baby evaluated:
- No babbling or gestures by 12 months
- No words by 16 months
- Less than 10-20 words by 24 months
- No word combinations by 30 months
If a baby is not reaching these minimal language milestones, it raises a red flag about their language development. It’s a good idea to have the child evaluated by a speech-language pathologist.
Early intervention can make a big difference if a child does have a language delay or disorder. Delays in language development can impact later abilities in reading, writing, academics and social skills. So it is best to get help early.
Conclusion
There is a wide range for when babies say their first words. Average is around 12 months, but some babies start talking as early as 6 months while others don’t say meaningful words until 15-18 months. A variety of genetic and environmental factors influence early language development. While girls may talk slightly sooner than boys initially, this evens out over time. A baby’s first word is an exciting milestone for parents. Close monitoring of language development is important, as early delays may require speech therapy intervention.