Milestones - Hayward,CA

Hi S.,
I think babies know a LOT more than we credit them for -- because they haven't learned to communicate in English. I think that explains why they babble in their cribs. They're probably saying all kinds of profound things. We just don't understand them!

Rule of thumb as I recall is word/person/item recognition comes around 8 months to a year.

Kids who talk early -- it doesn't necessarily mean they are any different than kids who don't talk early.
They just are 'talkers!'

Greetings S.: As the Mother of 5 children, now a Grandmother, and on top of it all a foster parent. I wanted to add my personal experiances to your answer lists.
I start as soon as birth saying the names of people and things. Generally at about 6 months my children were aware of the people in thier lives and sometimes sooner. For example the minuet my husband walked into the room the light started shinning in thier eyes and when he left -- the frustration came. They didn't talk but they knew. I have one son that is 12 yers older than his brother. Because of learning disabilities, Jon, didn't talk but D. seemed to know from 3 months on just what he needed and did his talking for him. I do know that long before they talk or even try to talk -- they recognize people and things.
I have had foster children,that don't speak yet seemed to know when someone was kind to them and then they are gone.
By the time a child is 8 months you will see a great differance. I always think that a babyhood, is a wonderful time and should be appreciated each and every day. Nana Glenda

My daughter who is now 6 yrs old was about 9 months, my son who is now 3 yrs old was about 10 months. I now have a set of 14 month old twins and they still don't recognize any words. I think all kids are very different on the spectrum of what's "normal."

I have to agree with Kathy and Cassie. My 13 month old son definitely knows that when I say, "Where's dadda?" he is to go and find dadda. He's been doing this for about 2 months now. He knows how to find his brush, sock, block, book, and he knows who the kitty is. When he's done eating, he'll shake his head no...he's been doing that for quite some time. He's not saying words yet, but he certainly understands very simple commands. I'm just amazed everyday.

Hi S.,

I think it was about 7 months, but not all children/babies are the same. "Mama, Dada, "Sucar" (our dog SUGARBEAR).

My father-in-law was overseas when his first child was born. My mother-in-law wanted their daughter to know who "Dada" was, so she would show Becky a picture of "Dada"...When "Dada" came home, Becky didn't know hime as "Dada", she would point to the picture and say "that's Dada".

Blessings......

Blessings....

For my daughter (1 st born) about 5 months. For my son about 8 or so months.

My 13 month old is doing the same things Cassie W 's baby is. I agree at 5 months they are just rolling over. My baby still can't say dada or at least when she is supposed to - she calls daddy mama, we all get a good laugh out of it. But she does know if I ask her where's daddy or the kitty she turns and looks at them.

each child is different, my first daugther was very active and did everything early, talked at 5 mo, walked at 10.5 mo etc, but my 2nd child (which I hear the 2nd child is later on things usually) she is almost 8 mo and no words yet, not worried yet. If the child is a year and a half then I might ask the dr whats going on?

Wow.. I read some of those other requests and think 5 months is pretty early...maybe my baby girl is "not normal" ! I would say my little one is on the right path of development...and she said a few things and used mamma in context at like 7 months, but then quit saying anything for a few months. And now she is 12 months and she is doing things like: trying to put her shoe/hat/coat on (not successfully yet I might add), getting the block when I ask for it, putting her toys in then dumping it out and repeating, she is starting to want to use a spoon/fork by herself, she just recently discovered her belly button and loves to find it when we ask, and she gives high fives, started giving hugs/kisses on command about 2 months ago. ALL kids are very different, so don't worry...but I hope this helps give some specifics on what I consider a normal kid...not super bright, and not slow : -) Just enjpy your little one because they grow to fast!

i can't remember exactly when they began, but my 18 month old can follow simple instructions - give the ball to your dad, etc. he has been able to point and name basic objects for a long time, at least since he was 11-12 months old. i know that many websites list developmental milestones - how many words a baby can say, or object she can identify, etc by a certain age. if you are concerned, definitely call your pediatrician, since any delay could be caused by problems with hearing, etc. good luck! C.

Our grandson surprised me by looking at the light above us one day when he was about five months of age.... and saying "ight". I thought I must be dreaming it, but he continued looking at various lights in the house and saying the same thing until we decided he was really understanding and putting a word to what he was seeing.