As a mother, you will always be waiting for your baby to reach certain milestones from the moment they are born. Whether it’s their first smile, first laugh, first tooth, first baby steps, or their first words.
Because these moments are precious and you anxiously wait for the moment your baby reaches important milestones, it is important to know that while there is an average for each baby to reach a certain milestone, not all kids reach their developmental capacity at the same time. That’s why it is important to know the average time range for each milestone.
This article will guide you on when your babies will walk, talk, and what to expect during these two developmental milestones.
When do babies walk?
Via: Shutterstock -When do babies walk and talk
Before babies start independently walking, they go through different phases that lead them to walk without help.
The following are the phases that come before a baby starts walking:
- Sitting up: At around 4-6 months, your baby will start sitting up unsupported.
- Scooting: At around 6-11 months, your baby will start scooting, meaning they will be pushing their feet or pulling their bodies around with their legs.
- Pulling up: This happens at around 8-11 months and during this time they will be able to stand alone while leaning on something.
- Crawling: It can happen anytime between 6-13 months. Some babies skip this step and walk straight away.
- Walking with help: At around 6-13 months, your baby may start walking with your help or by holding your hands.
- Standing without help: As your baby approaches independent walking, they will start standing without help. This happens at around 6-14 months.
- Walking independently: Your baby can start walking as early as 8 months old or as late as 18 months of age. This milestone will melt your heart and have your baby excited to physically explore the world around him/her.
When do babies start talking?
Via: Shutterstock -When do babies walk and talk
The moment your baby speaks his/her first words will surely melt your heart! Just like walking, babies start talking at their own pace even though there is an average time frame for speaking.
The following is a timeline for the important speech milestones your child should reach:
- 6 months: By 6 months of age, your baby should start babbling and making sounds. They may start using their voices to show you that they are either happy or upset such as squeaking when excited.
- 12 -18 months: By their first year, your baby will start naming familiar objects and the vocabulary will start to build up and grow. They will start imitating the sounds you make and try communicating with you. By 18 months, they will have a vocabulary of about 4-6 words.
- 18-23 months: Your child should have a vocabulary of about 50 words, can make animal sounds, and ask for the food they want. As they approach 2 years of age, they should be able to make 2-word sentences. You should be able to comprehend what your baby wants by the time they reach 2 years old.
- 2-3 years: By the time your child reaches 3 years of age, he/she should be able to have a proper conversation and should be able to use 3-word sentences.
If you feel like your child is behind in any of these milestones, he or she may be experiencing language delay and should be seen by a speech therapist. Early intervention is key.
Further Reading
- Things You Can Do To Avoid Language Delay in Kids
- Screen Time Guidelines By Age
- 7 Games to Develop Sensory and Motor Skills for Kids
Sources:
- When Do Babies Start Walking- Healthline
- When Do Babies Start Walking and How Does it Develop- Parenting Science
- Language Milestones: 1-2 Years – Healthline
- Language Development- Speech Milestones for babies-Mayo Clinic
- Age Appropriate Speech and Language Mile Stones- Stanford Children’s Health
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