During a baby's first year, his communication skills develop so significantly that by the age of 1, he's already uttering his first word---or something that closely resembles it. Before the 1-year mark, however, much of his communication takes place in the form of gestures, facial expressions and movements.
One Month
Though his language hasn't developed yet, a 1-month-old baby does find ways to communicate. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics' website "Healthy Children," a baby communicates at this age through gestures, such as moving his body towards you, either in reaction to your movement or to get your attention. He'll also listen as you talk and watch you as you hold him.
Three Months
At three months, a baby has developed the ability to articulate some things through language. For example, Healthy Children reports that a 3-month-old can imitate some sounds and facial expressions and starts babbling. She'll also smile when hearing a familiar voice and communicate her feelings through facial expressions and body movements.
Six Months
At 6 months, a baby's communicative skills continue to develop. The National Network for Child Care (NNCC) explains that, at this age, a baby will recognize familiar faces and her babbling will begin to resemble sing-song sounds. Healthy Children reports that a 6-month-old may focus in on certain sounds, such as "ba" or "da" for a day or two at a time.
12 Months
By the age of 1, your baby's communication has developed dramatically. At this stage, the NNCC reports that a baby's babble may resemble talking, and he may even say his first word. He also communicates often with those who are most familiar to him. A 1-year-old can also understand simple commands and will ask for things with a gesture or sound, such as raising his arms to be picked up.
Considerations
If you suspect that your child may not be communicating at they level that she should for her age, talk to your pediatrician as soon as possible. According to the NNCC, premature babies should be given extra time to catch up in developmental milestones according to how early they were born. For example, a baby born one month early may not reach the 6-month communication norms until she is 7 months old. Healthy Children explains that a 1-year-old may begin to refer to common objects by name, even if his pronunciation is slightly off.
References
- Healthy Children: Developmental Milestones, 1 Months
- Healthy Children: Developmental Milestones, 3 Months
- Healthy Children: Language Development, 4 to 7 Months
- Healthy Children: Language Development, 8 to 12 Months
- National Network for Child Care: Developmental Milestones, A Guide for Parents, The First Year
