In the area of newborn language development, there is much interest surrounding the progression of speech. Early language to some may seem non-existent; however, recent studies reveal a sequential process associated with early vocalization. According to a study published in "U.S. News & World Report," "In the final months of gestation, babies can hear people talking, especially their mothers. Newborns prefer the sound of their mother's voices to voices of other people. In the days after their birth, babies show signs of discriminating the sound of their native tongue from others, and recognized, when voice-like tones change pitch."
Identification
Early identification of communication patterns in newborns is important to meeting their needs. In fact, crying is a vital form of vocalization they use to obtain what they need such as feeding and diaper changes, and to relay emotion. According to Kids Health, "Crying is a baby's main method of communication, but they're also capable of other, more subtle forms. Learning to recognize them is rewarding, and can strengthen the bond with baby."
Considerations
Early language development and vocalization in newborns is, in part, dependent on the maturity of the facial and neck muscles involved in speech, which is highly individual physical development. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), "As the speech mechanism (jaw, lips and tongue) and voice mature, an infant is able to make controlled sounds. This begins in the first few months of life with 'cooing,' a quiet, pleasant, repetitive vocalization."
Time Frame
It is not surprising that vocalization ability increases as motor development advances, such as when an infant becomes able to hold his head up and sit propped-up. As newborns move through the early weeks and months of crying and cooing, they move on to babbling and often focus on the letters "b" and "d," as in "baba" and "dada." Babbling often occurs by 5 to 6 months of age, and is similar to adult speech, as it has pitch and intonation, but no real words.
Function
According to the NIH, vocalization patterns in the newborn period between birth and 5 months have several features. Young infants turn their heads toward sounds and react to sounds; they can cry and laugh, and also make sounds when spoken to. In essence, as infants grow and develop in the areas of cognitive, language, motor and psycho-social development, they become more vocal, more social and more involved in their surroundings.
Significance
By the end of the first year, as the newborn period and early infancy come to a close, most infants begin to say a few simple words. By 18 months, they are able to say 8 to 10 words; and by 2 years of age, they are generally able to speak in understandable phrases and short sentences. After that, for most, language skills evolve rapidly, and speech continues to improve, and vocabulary increases. Though this is just a rough sketch of language development, it is important to be aware of these milestones to detect any delays that may occur in language development along the way in early childhood.
