How children learn to talk

If you’ve ever wondered whether you should “baby talk,” narrate your day, or worry because your toddler isn’t saying much yet, you’re not alone. Language development can feel mysterious because it’s happening in layers: understanding, forming sounds, and then turning thoughts into words you can hear.

This blog breaks it down clearly — and gives you practical, everyday ways to support your child’s communication from newborn to five.

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What’s the difference between speech, language, and talk?

Parents often use these words interchangeably, but they’re not the same thing — and separating them can instantly reduce anxiety.

Language is what your child knows

Language is the system in the brain: vocabulary, understanding meaning, recognising words, and making sense of what people say. Think: what exists in their head.

Speech is how your child makes sounds into words

Speech is the physical production: lungs, diaphragm, tongue, lips, teeth, breath control, and coordinating all of it. Think: how the word comes out.

Talk is the end result

Talk is the product of language + speech: thoughts turned into spoken communication.

Why this matters: a child can have strong language (understanding lots) but still be developing speech (not saying much yet).

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The best way to talk to a newborn

Newborns aren’t tuning into meaning at first — they’re tuning into sound, tone, and facial expression.

Use “parentese” (without overthinking it)

Parentese is the natural sing-song style most adults instinctively use with babies:

• shorter sentences
• warm, expressive tone
• exaggerated intonation
• slower pace

It’s not a fake language. It’s just a baby-friendly way of speaking that helps babies tune into:

• rhythm
• sound patterns
• the emotional “shape” of communication

You don’t need to perform. A simple, natural:
“Hellooo! Good morning! There you are!”
is doing important work.

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“Serve and return”: the simple interaction that builds communication

Think tennis:

• you “serve” (say something, make a sound, pull a face)
• your baby “returns” (a look, a wiggle, a gurgle, a smile)
• you respond again

The key skill most adults miss: waiting.

Babies and young children need processing time — and when we fill every silence, we don’t leave room for them to respond. Even a pause of a few seconds teaches your baby:

“My sounds matter. You’re listening. I can influence this interaction.”

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The hidden superpower of daily routines

Some of the best language-building moments happen in places parents often treat like chores:

• nappy changes
• feeding
• bath time
• getting dressed
• bedtime

These moments work so well because they’re:

• predictable
• face-to-face
• repeated daily
• naturally full of simple vocabulary

A nappy change can become a mini conversation:

• “Let’s take your sock off… one foot… now the other… wipe… all clean!”
• pause and wait for the “return”

The mindset shift is simple:
slow down routines slightly and treat them as connection points, not tasks to rush through.

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Why first children often talk earlier (and later children often don’t)

It’s common (not guaranteed, but common) for first children to talk earlier because:

• adults speak to them constantly
• they get more one-to-one interaction

Second or third children often have:

• strong comprehension
• less “need” to speak because siblings speak for them

If an older sibling talks for a younger one

This is extremely common. The key question isn’t “Are they talking?” — it’s:
Do they understand?

A child who understands “more juice?” but doesn’t say it yet may simply be:

• watching
• processing
• relying on others
• not yet motivated to speak

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Late talkers: what to look for

Parents often worry if their child is mostly babbling at 18 months. It’s understandable — but the most helpful distinction is:

Speech (saying words) vs comprehension (understanding words)

• If your child understands everyday language (“shoes on”, “where’s the ball?”, “more milk?”), that’s a reassuring sign.
• If your child seems not to understand basic familiar phrases, that’s a stronger reason to seek support.

You don’t need to wait until things feel “serious.” If you have persistent niggling concerns, it’s reasonable to speak to a health visitor or relevant professional — sometimes small adjustments make a big difference.

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Correcting children’s speech: what helps (and what backfires)

Constant correction can make some children feel self-conscious and reluctant to speak.

A more effective approach:

• notice errors
• model the correct form naturally, without pressure

Example:
Child: “Me goed park.”
You: “Yes — you went to the park! That was fun.”

Even better: revisit it later through play and stories, where language sticks more easily.

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Why “dada” is often easier than “mama”

This one matters for the mums who feel mildly offended (understandably).

“Dada” is often easier because it’s a simpler mouth movement: the tongue taps the palate. “Mama” can require more complex lip shaping and control.

So no — it’s not a preference ranking. It’s mechanics.

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Can babies learn language before they’re born?

Babies can hear in the womb — but not as clearly as we hear.

Early on, they’re mainly sensing:

• rhythm
• vibration (bone conduction)
• the familiar pattern of a caregiver’s voice

Later in pregnancy (especially third trimester), they can begin to recognise familiar voices more distinctly — which is one reason some babies seem soothed by a parent’s voice after birth.

Should partners talk to the bump?

It won’t turn your baby into an early talker, but regular exposure to a voice can build familiarity.

Does playing classical music help?

It won’t “raise IQ,” but music does expose babies to:

• rhythm
• pitch variation
• sound patterns

The biggest benefit may be indirect: if music calms you, that calmer environment benefits baby too.

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Why face-to-face talk matters

Babies learn from watching mouths.

That’s why:

• feeding time
• nappy changes
• cuddles
• stroller time (especially face-to-face prams)

…can be powerful.

When babies can see your face, they get:

• visual cues
• mouth movement modelling
• stronger social connection

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Bilingual households: will two languages confuse my child?

The research and practical experience are clear: early bilingual exposure is not harmful — and it can be an advantage.

What helps children most is consistency.

A commonly recommended approach:

• each caregiver primarily uses their strongest language most of the time
• languages are kept reasonably stable in context

Not because mixing is “bad,” but because rapid switching can be harder for a young brain to sort — like a radio scanning between stations.

Children will:

• mix languages
• invent hybrid phrases
• swap words mid-sentence

That’s not confusion. That’s a normal stage of building two systems.

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Activities that support speech and talk as children grow

As children get older, speech is helped by breath control and mouth strength — and play can support that.

Try:

• blowing bubbles
• blowing ping-pong balls (gentle “football” races)
• singing (even badly — it still trains breathing patterns)
• whisper/shout games (voice control)
• pretend phone calls (cups + string)
• story games and role play (vocabulary + confidence)

Language grows fastest when children feel:

• engaged
• safe
• successful

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The biggest message to remember

Talking develops through connection, not pressure.

The more your child experiences:

• warm interaction
• listening and waiting
• rich everyday vocabulary
• predictable talk routines

…the stronger their foundation becomes — even before they’re speaking much.