The day that your baby’s babble turns into identifiable words is a huge landmark in their development. But what words will they say first?
The race is often on between mum and dad to see whose name gets said first, and what it may come down to is which one is easier for them to get out, and which one is said the most at home.
Repetition is the key to learning language for babies, which is why parents often learn exactly how many times they say “no!” in a day once their baby learns to speak.
For some parents, baby’s learning to speak can also be an indication of just how much they swear when baby drops an s-bomb, in context at an inopportune time!
Babies will all learn to speak and get words out at their own pace, there is no set timeline, however most will begin to develop some language at around 11-14 months.
However they are learning long before that, so using repetitive language often, and from the very beginning will help determine just what the words your are that your baby comes out with when they’re ready.
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Using songs, games and narrating life at home as clearly as possible with a simple vocabulary will set your little one up with a great understanding of words and what they mean.
While each child’s vocabulary will vary from family to family, there are certain words that are commonly reported as baby’s firsts and can be taught pretty easily in day-to-day life around the home.
We’ve gathered up 15 of the most common in the gallery below …
Mamma and Dadda: The race is on, which one will they say first? The thing is, it has nothing to do with who they love more, it’s just whichever one they can wrap their little tongues around quicker. Also common as they get to know family are nan, pa and gaga. Image: Getty Images.
More: Repetition is the key to learning when it comes to language. “More” is a common first word, which you can encourage your child to learn by repeating often. For example, offer them only parts of a meal at a time, saying ‘more’ as you add more to their plate. Image: Getty Images.
Open: Using the word open every time you open a drawer, a door, a jar or a box will help your little one not only understand what it means, but have them repeating it in no time. Image: Getty Images.
Uh-oh: You’ll have plenty of occasion to use this one while raising a baby! Babies learn to know when to use this one pretty quickly. Image: Getty Images.
No: Many parents report this as one of bub’s first words, and the reason is most likely that it is not only easy to say, but a word that babies learning to navigate the world hear quite often. For this very same reason, parents sometimes learn just how much they swear when baby’s first word comes out as “s@#t”! Image: Getty Images.
Eat or yum: One of the activities your developing child will be doing often is eating, how else are thy going to fill all those nappies? Finding a word like ‘eat’ or ‘yum yum’ and using it often will help your child develop the language they need to tell you when they are hungry. Image: Getty Images.
Book: Book is an easy word for a child to say so, by using the word a lot at reading time you can help them learn it quicker. “Let’s choose a book,” “we’re reading a book”, “let’s open the book” etc. Image: Getty Images.
Car: Car, broom broom, beep beep … identifying cars in whichever way they are taught can be super fun for babies and are often recorded as one of baby’s first words. Image: Getty Images.
Baby or bubba: Babies might not realise that they are actually a baby themselves, and that is never more evident than when they learn to identify their dolls, siblings, cousins and random babies in the street with a joyful exclamation of ‘bubba’. Image: Getty Images.
Wash or bath: Treat bath time as if you are narrating, “I’m running the bath”, “I’m washing you in the bath”, “Hop out of the bath,” etc and very soon your baby will have a brand new word in their vocabulary! Image: Getty Images.
Ta: Using the word “ta” every time you pass your baby something, or whenever they hand you back something in return will have your child not only learning a new word, but some new manners too! Winning. Image: Getty Images.
Boo: There’s not much sweeter than a baby’s joy during a game of peek-a-boo. It’s probably the reason we do it so regularly and why “boo” is often reported as one of baby’s first words! Image: Getty Images.
Up: Saying “up” whenever you lift your child up from the floor, a chair, a carseat or a pram and before you know it they will have a new word and know exactly when to use it. Image: Getty Images.
Hello and bye-bye: Learning greetings, often with a little wave attached, is a super sweet stage in a baby’s development. Using the words often and in the right context will help your baby learn how to say them, and when to use them. Image: Getty Images.
Bubble: A fun word to say and learn, you can help your child learn this during bath time, or with a bubble wand or machine. Image: Getty Images.
