Language development is one of the most exciting aspects of a baby’s early years. From sweet coos to their first spoken words, each stage of baby language development milestones marks an important step in communication and cognitive growth. While every child develops at their own pace, understanding typical milestones can help parents know when to celebrate and when to seek extra support.
At OrbRom Center, we specialize in early childhood development, offering expert speech therapy and preschool programs to help children in Cambodia thrive in their language journey.
Early Sounds: 0 to 6 Months
During the first six months, babies communicate through crying, cooing, and gurgling. These sounds are their first steps toward understanding how to use their voice. By 6 months, most babies respond to sounds, recognize their caregivers’ voices, and start to make vowel-like noises such as “ah” and “oh.”
Tip: Talk, sing, and read to your baby daily to encourage sound imitation and connection.
Babbling Begins: 6 to 12 Months
Between 6 and 12 months, babbling starts to sound more like real language. Babies will begin to repeat syllables like “ba-ba” or “da-da” and may even say their first meaningful words like “mama.” They also begin to understand simple words and respond to their name.
If your baby isn’t babbling or seems unresponsive to sounds by 12 months, it might be time to consider a developmental assessment.
First Words and Understanding: 12 to 18 Months
At this stage, your baby may say a few simple words and follow basic instructions like “give me the toy.” They start labeling familiar objects and may point or gesture to communicate. The average vocabulary at 18 months is around 10–20 words.
Every child develops at their own rate, but if your child uses fewer than 6 words by 18 months, early speech intervention can make a big difference.
Language Explosion: 18 to 24 Months
This is an exciting time! Most toddlers experience a vocabulary “boom,” adding new words rapidly and combining two-word phrases like “more milk” or “go park.” They also begin to ask questions and show a stronger understanding of what others are saying.
If your child struggles with two-word phrases or appears frustrated when trying to communicate, OrbRom Center’s speech therapy can provide personalized support to bridge the gap.
Why Early Support Matters
Identifying speech or language delays early gives children the best chance to catch up and thrive. At OrbRom Center, our experienced team provides professional assessments, high-quality preschool programs, and individualized speech therapy tailored to your child’s developmental needs.
Final Thoughts on Baby Language Development Milestones
Monitoring your baby’s language development milestones helps ensure they’re on the right track. While some variation is normal, don’t hesitate to seek guidance if you notice delays. With early support from OrbRom Center, your child can build strong communication skills for a lifetime.
