Language Milestones For Infants 0-3

0-3 Month Language Milestones

Language began developing in the womb.  So it isn’t a surprise that your infant should be meeting certain language milestones at a very early age.  That doesn’t mean that by 3 months old you should be hearing words, however, they should be communicating to some degree.  Language is a two way path with a lot of turn taking moments that occur without you really even noticing them.  Language consists of more than just talking, it also includes understanding and comprehending.  So let’s look at some of the early milestones you likely see in your three month old.

First, your infant should be starting to turn towards sounds.  If a dog barks, does your child look towards and search for what made that sound? 

                Here are a few ideas to help your infant practice this skill:

1 – Provide a variety of sounds for your infant to listen to.  You can use squeaky toys, rattles, bells, or something as simple as clicking your tongue.

2 – Make sure your baby can see what is making the sound – placing it usually about 8 inches in front of them.  Avoid sounds that startle them.  Make the sound, then give your baby a few seconds to respond before making the sound again.

3 – Add a little variety to the above game by moving the toy to either side of your child.  This will help them practice looking for what made the sound.

4 – When the doorbell rings, a dog barks, the phone rings, etc., get animated while your baby is watching you.  Look towards the sound yourself, exaggerate your facial expressions, and even say something such as, “What is that?  I hear the doorbell!”

5 – Give the sound a visual reality.  If the toy squeaks, let your child hold it as they look at it.  If the dog barks, allow you’re infant to touch the dog.

6 – Dance with your child.  This is often a well-received activity.  Move while the music is playing and stop when the music does.  This helps infants to comprehend that the music is something to pay attention to.

Second, your baby should be quieting or smiling to a sound, especially to your voice.  A cry is your baby’s way of telling you that something is wrong.  This is a very early turn taking skill they are developing.  They stop crying as you pick them up to talk to them.  Of course they may cry again before long; after all, their turn taking skills are still developing.

                What can you do to help develop this milestone?  Check out these ideas.

1 – Watch for your child to respond to your talking.  They may show intense interest in your face, stop sucking a bottle, or have an increase in breathing.  You may notice a change in muscle tone or a turning of their head, or make eye contact.

2 – Face to face conversations are great activities to help your child.  Do this by saying a short statement while you are close, and they can see you.  Make your voice animated and playful.  Usually a higher pitch and slower speech with varied inflections are best.  Pause between phrases to give them a chance to respond.  Use your nonverbal communication as well such as a smile, a nod, or a kiss.

3 – Tell your child good things such as how happy you are they are yours, how beautiful they are, etc.  Tell them what they are experiencing.  For example, “Oh, you’re hungry!  Here’s your bottle.  That feels better now.  Yummy bottle.”

4 – Encourage others to talk to your infant as well so they get used to different sounds and voices.

Third, your child should begin to show interest in faces.  Make sure that during your interactions with your infant, you are close enough for them to see your face.  Great times for this would include feeding, diaper changes, and bath time.

Fourth is eye contact.  Babies will begin making more and more eye contact by their third month of life.  Give them plenty of opportunity to look in your eyes while talking to them, singing, dancing, and other such activities.  You may have to call their names or click your tongue to get them to look at you.  Practice it every chance you can and encourage some eye contact.  To begin with, eye contact may be fleeting, but don’t give up.  Keep working on it.

Fifth, your infant will likely begin to change the sounds of their cries.  By the age of three months, you should be able to identify a hungry cry from a tired or frightened cry.

Sixth, your infant should begin cooing and smiling.

1 – Face to face talking is great to help your child practice this.  As mentioned above, make sure you can be seen.  Lots of talking with animated voice and pauses to give your child a chance to respond with their cooing.  Listen intently to their cooing and when they pause, it’s your turn to talk again.

2 – When your child does smile, make a big deal about it.  Change the sound of your voice and clap your hands, for example.

And, seventh, your child should discover their hands.  This may not seem like a communication milestone, however, with this skill, they are working on using their brains.  This skill will help with depth perception, reaching, and understanding that their hands are a part of their bodies.    Some of the following may be helpful:

1 – When you are carrying or feeding your baby, make sure their arms are both in front of them.

2 – Tummy time allows them to have their hands in front of them to help them hold up their heads.  Provide different textures on blankets to allow them to explore with their hands.

3 – Put your finger in their hand and bring it in front of them as you wiggle your finger.  This brings their attention to their hand.

4 – Place something fun on their hands such as a bright colored sock. 

5 – Shine a light on their hands.

6 – Make sure there are toys available to practice reaching. 

7 – During bath time gently pat their hands with a soft cloth, a sponge, or in the water.

8 – Play Pat-a-Cake and kiss their hands or blow on them occasionally during the game.