Understanding Your Baby's Language Development
Over the course of your baby's first year his language skills will grow by leaps and bounds.

First Words
 It's one of the biggest questions of your baby's first year: Will she say "Mama" or "Dada"? You'll probably hear that special first word by the time she turns 1 -- and then there's no stopping your little chatterbox. Around the age of 15 months, she'll start using simple consonant sounds to form words such as "up," "more," and "baby." At 18 months, her vocabulary explodes and she should begin picking up several new words a day.

Although you can't rush your child's natural development, you can help boost her language skills. "The best thing you can do is talk to your 1-yearold continuously throughout the day," says Michelle Macias, M.D., professor of pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina, in Charleston. "You may feel silly saying, 'Now I'm putting the potatoes into the pot,' but this constant exposure to language will help her learn." Check out these simple ways to get the most out of your toddler talks.

Watch His Hands
 
Toddler around 1 understand a lot more words than they can actually say. "For 1-year-olds, using gestures as nonverbal communication is an important skill you can encourage," says Michelle Macias, M.D., professor of pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina, in Charleston. When your toddler waves at you, chime in with "Bye-bye!" or when he points at something, ask, "Do you want the cup?" You can also play games with gestures, like pat-a-cake, or make motions with your hands when you sing "The Wheels on the Bus" to help him connect the words with the actions.

Use Real Words
 
Although it's okay if your 1-year-old calls his bottle "ba ba," you and your spouse should use the proper words to make sure that you're not always talking down to your toddler. "Parents need to stay one step ahead of their child's stage," says Stuart Teplin, M.D., a developmental and behavioral pediatrician in Concord, North Carolina. By using real words instead of baby talk, you're helping him to expand his vocabulary.

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