The first steps for your child beginning to develop their own speech and language is understanding the speech and language around them.
Your baby will pick up words that are familiar to them, such as names of pets or their brothers' and sisters' and start beginning to sound those words out.
Between eight and 12 months, your baby will start making sounds, such as "mamma" or "dadda", and babble continuously. This is quite normal.
They're just beginning to form sounds that will develop into words. At around 15 months, your baby might raise their voice at the end of a question or point or gesture when they want to say something.
Your toddler will begin to understand sentences and commands, such as, "Can you do this for Daddy?" or "Can you fetch this for Mummy?" Around the age of two years, your child may know around 100 words and may start putting short sentences together.
If your child is struggling with speech and language development, or with their understanding, speak to a health professional, because a referral can be made for your child to see a speech and language therapist.
About video: Health visitor Naresh Lane talks about when you should expect your child to start talking.
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