In general, language skills start developing between the ages of one and two. Any form of communications, such as babbling, pointing to an object, responding to your comments, indicates that he/she is beginning to understand what is said to him/her (even though he/she is not using actual words to communicate with you). Typically, you may get to hear your baby speaking her first word at the end of 12 months. Still, every baby develops differently. My nephew only started talking at around 15 months. It was clear that he could understand us and was blabbering in his own baby language, but he just refused to “converse” with us. Now, at almost four years of age, we can’t get him to stop talking. ;p Every baby develops differently so there is no need for you to be worried as long as your baby is showing signs of comprehension. If you are really worried, you can consider bringing her to a speech therapist for his/her professional opinion. This article provides some useful tips to encourage your baby to start talking: http://www.janetlansbury.com/2012/06/ten-best-ways-to-encourage-toddlers-to-talk/ Some simple suggestions from the article include: - Using your authentic voice and speaking in first person. The more they hear language spoken properly, the sooner they will learn and try speaking it. - Slow down so that your baby can listen and understand.
Hi mummy! On top of what Hui Qun has explained, I have a feeling that your little girl will be talking coherently when she starts playgroup. Sometimes all a child needs is a boost from her peers. When she starts socialising outside her usual circle of family members, she'd pick up new skills and habits. My niece was the same way when she was a baby, so quiet at home and everyone was worried. But the moment she started daycare at 2, she started to talk non-stop, and now we just can't make her stop haha. Don't worry too much about it :)