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Expert Q&A
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| By Mindy Hudon Speech and Language Pathologist | ||
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My baby is not here yet, but I am already anticipating hearing him say "da da." At what age can I expect this?
It's hard to believe, but as soon as your baby is born he or she will be getting ready to talk. So get your camcorder ready because "da da" could be only a few seven to 12 short months away.
OK, you have time, but there is so much you can do now to prepare your baby for language. Research suggests that an infant can hear inside his mother's womb. So start talking and reading to your baby now. Your wife might need to sleep, but your baby is all ears.
When your baby is born, it is very important to continue talking, reading and singing to her. Remember, understanding precedes expression. Eventually, your baby will start to form babbles at approximately 4 to 6 months. Those babbles will then be shaped to form words (around 7 to 12 months) once your baby attaches meaning to them. She will learn to attach meaning when she is playing with some sounds like "da da" (because they sound and feel good) when all of a sudden you run into the room and make a big deal about "da da" and say it back to her. Your baby will think, "Hey, when I say 'da da' that fun, loving guy comes running up to me with a big smile and gets all excited. Oh, what fun! I'll say 'da da' again."
Although pregnancy and the birth of your child are very exciting times in your life, you'll be amazed at how many more wonderful experiences you have ahead of you – from your child's first smile to his first day of kindergarten. Enjoy these precious times, because they go by fast."
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More Answers by this Expert
- My 10-month-old's babbles are starting to sound more like actual letters now. What letter sounds are generally a baby's first?
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