Speech and Language Traits of the
Four to Twelve-Month-Old
By age four months, your child will…
- Startle to
a sudden sound
- Look for the
source of new sounds
- Calm down
to a soothing out-of-sight voice
- Laugh, gurgle,
coo with familiar people
- Use his voice
to get attention
By eight months, your child will…
- Turn his head
toward sound
- Widen his
eyes to a loud sound
- Enjoy noise
toys
- Babble to
others
- Frequently
use syllables such as “ba,” “da,” “ka”
- Produce
four or more different sounds
By 12 months, your child will…
- Turn quickly
to his name
- Use a variety
of pitches in the voice
- Listen, bounce
or talk with music
- Use jargon
that sounds like real sentences
- Play “peek-a-boo”
- Imitate familiar
words
- Understand
simple instructions
- Recognize
words as symbols for objects, i.e., say “meow” for cat, “brum,
brum” for car.
You can stimulate your infant’s speech and language by…
- Responding
to your child’s coos, gurgles, and babbling
- Talking to
your child as you care for him or her throughout the day
- Reading colorful
books to your child every day
- Keeping your
speech rather simple and concrete
- Reciting nursery
rhymes and singing songs
- Showing interest
in all the different sounds you hear (ice clinking glass, doorbell ringing,
rain falling)
- Teaching your
child the names of everyday items and familiar people
- Playing simple
games with your child such as “peek-a-boo” and “pat-a-cake”
- Playing
simple music for your child
Your child’s speech and language development depends on his or her
ability to hear. A hearing loss can interrupt or delay the ability to communicate.
All children, even newborns and young babies, can have their hearing tested.
If you suspect a hearing problem, ask your doctor to refer your child to
an audiologist. Seek prompt medical treatment if you suspect your child
may have an ear infection.
Remember if you have any questions about your child’s hearing, call
an audiologist, the hearing professional.
If you have concerns regarding your child, you may call one of the folowing
for futher information:
Baptist Hospital Speech & Hearing
850.434.4957
West Florida Hospital Speech Department
850.494.6140
Escambia School District Audiology Clinic
850.453.4742