05/31/2026
May is Speech-Language-Hearing Month, so let’s talk early speech development. 💛
Speech begins long before first words.
In the early months, babies build important vocal skills by crying, cooing, squealing, growling, laughing, and experimenting with their voices. These early sounds help babies practice using breath, voice, mouth movements, and turn-taking with caregivers.
As vocal development progresses, babies begin producing vowel sounds and experimenting with early consonants through cooing and babbling.
The consonants that tend to emerge in speech the earliest are often called the Early 8:
m, b, p, n, d, h, w, y
These sounds often appear in first words because they’re easier for little mouths to make and easier to hear and imitate.
Think:
mama • dada • ball • bye bye • no • more
Speech develops gradually through listening, connection, play, and practice. Every sound, babble, and back-and-forth moment counts. ✨
