Language development begins before birth.

As they listen to family and caregivers around them, respond to voices, and begin making their own noises and gestures, they are growing in their ability to communicate their needs, wants, and feelings. You support your infant’s language development by responding to their cues. Cues are the sounds, faces, and movements infant's make. Your infant speaks to you with cues like crying and smiling. By learning to read and respond to your infant’s cues, you help your infant form healthy connections and relationships.

Learn more about communicating with your infant:

• What Can You Tell Me Baby?
• Language Development, Communication, and Literacy