Alex Hodges spends a significant amount of time each day with her infant daughter engaging in what modern kids might call “yapping.” In one video, Hodges explains to her baby that Maria is unable to watch her that day due to one of Maria’s children being ill. Hodges discusses their daily plan in a lively and rapid manner, as if she is sharing juicy gossip with a close friend. She mentions the prevalence of sickness and her efforts to protect her daughter from it. Hodges reaches out to Jane, who occasionally cares for the baby and is described as a musical individual who sings songs and plays the tambourine.
Despite her baby not being able to speak yet, Hodges continues her one-sided conversation, which child speech development experts applaud as an excellent parenting strategy. A speech pathologist praised Hodges for her approach in a TikTok comment, emphasizing the benefits of using rich vocabulary, clear sequencing, and time concepts when communicating with babies. This particular video has garnered over 16 million views.
Experts in pediatrics offer valuable insights into babies’ speech development. They note that most babies utter their first words between 12 and 18 months, but emphasize that speech education begins even earlier. Sounds experimentation typically starts within the initial three months of a baby’s life, progressing to babbling and speech-like sounds by around 6 months. However, experts point out that every baby develops at their own pace.
Concerns about babies’ speech development are addressed, including the number of words a 1-year-old should be able to say. While many 12-month-olds can say a few distinct words, by 18 months, they may start combining two-word phrases. Parents are advised not to worry if their child doesn’t meet these exact milestones, as long as their overall development is on track. Speech is only one aspect of communication development, and regular developmental screenings by a family doctor are essential to monitor progress.
In cases of prolonged speech delays, further evaluation may be required to rule out potential hearing loss, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, or speech-related issues. Research indicates that by 24 months, children should be able to articulate over 50 words. Maintaining regular screenings is crucial for tracking a child’s progress in meeting speech milestones, such as cooing sounds at 2 months, squealing and laughing at 4 months, and experimenting with different sounds at 6 months. Parents are encouraged to reach out to their family doctor with any concerns regarding their child’s speech development.
