Language development in infants

An infant’s language develops progressively, beginning with a primarily non-verbal and reflexive form of communication that gradually evolves into intentional and structured expressions. From the very first weeks of life, infants use their bodies, voices, and gaze to connect with their surroundings and caregivers. Understanding and valuing these early communicative forms is essential to support the child’s overall well-being and foster healthy emotional and language development.

0–2 months: the first forms of communication

In the very early months, the infant is able to recognize and distinguish familiar voices, particularly those of the mother and father, even if they do not yet understand their meaning. Communication primarily occurs through:

• Eye contact, which establishes emotional connection;
• Crying, which serves as a primary expressive method for needs or discomfort;
• Smiling, an early expression of well-being and social engagement.

By around the third week of life, babies begin to produce a variety of sounds—such as soft grunts or tongue clicks—which are the first attempts at vocal exploration.

2–4 months: vocalizations and shared attention

During this stage, infants begin producing more varied vocalizations, differing in length, volume, and pitch. They express states of well-being, a desire for attention, or simple enjoyment of their own voice. Exclamations such as “ooooh” or “aaah” become common and often elicit enthusiastic responses from parents, initiating the first two-way communicative exchanges.

4–6 months: awareness of sounds and relationships

Infants start to actively experiment with their vocal abilities, producing sounds and squeals for self-stimulation. Vocal expressions begin to reflect emotional states and adapt in response to social interactions. At this point, babies show increasing interest in social relationships and may express boredom or frustration when under-stimulated or left alone.

6–8 months: gestures, intentionality, and attention to others

Between six and eight months, communication becomes more intentional. Gestures take on communicative meaning (e.g., reaching out arms or pointing), and babbling becomes more frequent and purposeful. The baby:

• Pays close attention to those speaking to them;
• Responds to their name;
• Turns their head in response to sounds;
• Is attracted to familiar words, though still without understanding them.

9–12 months: first words and contextual understanding

In the final quarter of the first year, the first recognizable words begin to emerge: “mama,” “dada,” “food,” “sleep,” “bath.” These terms, often linked to daily routines, mark the beginning of actual language production.

At the same time, imitation and understanding grow stronger:

• The child responds to simple verbal commands (e.g., “wave goodbye,” “give a kiss”);
• Uses intentional gestures to express wants;
• Points to objects, often accompanied by vocalizations or babbling.

Language development in the first twelve months of life is a complex yet deeply natural process involving sensory, emotional, and social interactions. Each stage represents an essential step on the path to verbal communication. Providing a rich relational environment, responding sensitively to the infant’s signals, and encouraging daily emotional exchange are key to supporting secure and harmonious language growth.