Speech and Hearing Development in Babies and Toddlers: From First Sounds to First Sentences

Understanding how babies learn to hear, speak, and communicate is vital for parents, caregivers, and professionals. This guide walks you through every stage of hearing and speech development—from a baby’s first coo to a preschooler’s full sentence—plus the critical role that music plays in this process.

Whether you’re a parent, or early childhood educator, these evidence-based milestones and tips will help you support each child’s unique communication journey.

Birth to 3 Months: Foundation of Hearing and Voice Recognition

Developmental Milestones

• Reacts to loud noises by startling or calming
• Begins cooing by 6–8 weeks
• Recognizes caregiver voices and calms when spoken to
• Differentiates cries for needs (hunger, discomfort)

Examples:

• A 2-week-old calms when hearing a parent’s voice
• A 3-month-old coos back during diaper changes
• Infant turns head toward familiar songs

4 to 12 Months: Babbling, Name Recognition, and Enjoying Music

Developmental Milestones

• Babbles with consonants (e.g., “ba-ba,” “da-da”)
• Turns head toward sound sources
• Recognizes own name by 6–9 months
• Understands basic words like “no” and “bye-bye”
• Shows pleasure in music and interactive songs

Examples:

• 6-month-old claps to “If You’re Happy and You Know It”
• 9-month-old looks up when name is called
• Baby anticipates hand gestures in songs like “Itsy Bitsy Spider”

1 to 2 Years: First Words and Growing Vocabulary

Developmental Milestones

• Says first real words around 12 months
• Understands and follows simple commands (“give me ball”)
• Points to body parts or objects when named
• Combines two words by 18–24 months

Examples:

• 12-month-old says “mama” and “milk” intentionally
• 18-month-old says “want juice” and gestures to cup
• Bounces or sings along to familiar lullabies

2 to 5 Years: Sentences, Questions, and Storytelling

Ages 2–3 Years

• Speaks in 2–3 word phrases
• Follows two-step directions
• Sings parts of familiar songs
• Vocabulary expands rapidly

Examples:

• 2.5-year-old finishes lines in “Wheels on the Bus”
• Says “me go park” or “want banana please”

Ages 3–4 Years

• Uses 4–6 word sentences
• Tells short stories
• Speech is mostly intelligible to strangers
• Engages in “why” questions

Examples:

• Child tells about their day: “I go grandma house. We bake cookies.”
• Sings a full verse of a nursery rhyme on pitch

Ages 4–5 Years

• Masters basic grammar and sentence structure
• Understands time concepts and storytelling
• Sings structured songs and explores melody/rhythm

Examples:

• Makes up silly songs with invented lyrics
• Follows a musical game with stop-and-go cues

How Music Enhances Hearing and Speech Development

Music is not just fun—it’s a powerful developmental tool.

Benefits of Music for Speech and Language:

• Improves auditory discrimination for sounds like “b” vs. “p”
• Enhances memory and word recall through melodies
• Supports rhythm and timing, essential for speech patterns
• Builds vocabulary via repetition and rhyme
• Encourages emotional expression and social interaction

Real-Life Examples:

• A toddler hums a melody while playing with blocks
• A 4-year-old improvises a song to explain a story or feeling
• A baby calms immediately when a familiar lullaby starts

Red Flags in Speech and Hearing Development

When to Consult a Specialist:

• No babbling by 6–9 months
• Doesn’t recognize name by 12 months
• No words by 16–18 months
• Doesn’t follow directions by 2 years
• Speech is difficult to understand after age 3
• Limited social interaction or interest in sound

Early evaluation by a speech-language pathologist or audiologist is highly recommended if concerns arise.

How to Support Speech and Hearing at Home

• Talk constantly about what you’re doing and seeing
• Sing daily, especially interactive songs with motions
• Read aloud starting in infancy
• Use music during daily routines like bath time or bedtime
• Limit screen time, which can reduce live interaction
• Listen and respond to your child’s attempts to communicate

Final Thoughts: Support, Sing, Speak, Repeat

Every coo, babble, and song helps shape a child’s brain. With consistent interaction, rich language exposure, and the joyful integration of music, caregivers and professionals can build strong communication foundations.

Whether your child is humming a tune or asking “why?” for the tenth time—each moment is a milestone.

By Erika Barabás

Helpful Sources:

• ASHA (Speech-Language Experts): asha.org
• CDC Developmental Tracker App
• zerotothree.org
• musictherapy.org