Language Development: Vital parenting information from Eyewitness News

Once your baby says his first words, the second, and many more seem to follow very soon. But when baby says his first words varies.

Dr. Joe Matusic, MD
Somewhere around six months they start to pick up mama, dadda, kids say dadda first.

From six to nine months they say mama, and dadda non-specifically. From nine to 12 months the names fit to a specific parent. And my 15 months, most kids say three to four words. Then their vocabulary grows by leaps and bounds.

Dr. Joe Matusic, MD
At 18 months kids say 25 words. At two years, children have half understandable speech.

Reese Mason
Pooh... honey... bees

Dr. Matusic says reading is essential. And so is plainly talking to your toddler or baby to develop their language skills.

Talk plainly adult, not baby talk you want them to imitate adult talk.

Dr. Joe Matusic, MD
Kids can actually be delayed in speech because of baby talk. Read to them talk all the time don't just sit and let them go. Talk to them.

Father says, "Say cookie" Reese says, "Cookie!"

Dr. Matusic says he has seen a delay in language development when an older child is there, who talks for the toddler. The remedy is to make the toddler talk to get the things they want, like a snack or drink.