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Birth–11 monthsSpeaking

Makes own sounds in response when talked to by familiar adults.

Observe whether the child: makes own sounds in response when talked to by familiar adults.

What it looks like

Three ways this behaviour shows up as a child grows. Each level includes everyday moments to watch for.

Emerging

Just starting

Occasionally responds with coos, gurgles, or brief vocalisations when a familiar adult talks, but responses are inconsistent and depend on mood/state.

What you might see

  • When a familiar adult talks closely to the baby, the baby remains quiet or only fusses without adding coos/gurgles back.
  • During a calm routine (e.g., nappy change), the baby does not vocalise in response to the adult’s voice.
  • After a familiar adult says the baby’s name, the baby gives one short coo/sound once, but does not repeat it in the interaction.
  • The baby vocalises back only when highly excited or only when the adult uses a very animated voice.

Expected

On track

Responds with vocal sounds during face-to-face interaction with familiar adults, showing short turn-taking sequences (adult talks → baby vocalises → adult responds).

What you might see

  • In face-to-face play, the baby coos/babbles after the adult speaks, and the adult’s reply leads to another baby sound.
  • The baby makes a sound, pauses, then vocalises again after the adult responds, showing a simple turn-taking rhythm.

Exceeding

Going further

Regularly engages in vocal back-and-forth with familiar adults, using varied sounds and pausing as if waiting for the adult to reply in multiple routines.

What you might see

  • During a familiar routine (feeding/nappy change), the baby consistently responds with vocal sounds each time the adult speaks and pauses.
  • The baby varies sounds (coos, squeals, babble-like sounds) and looks at the adult’s face while vocalising back.
  • If the adult stops talking, the baby vocalises to draw the adult back into interaction and then pauses for the adult’s turn.
  • The baby changes their sound pattern after the adult changes tone (e.g., shifts from quiet coos to excited squeals when the adult becomes playful).

Try this at home

Small everyday moments where you can notice this behaviour without setting up anything special.

  • Nappy change: Talk, then pause—does your baby make a sound back when you speak and leave a gap for them?

  • Mealtime: While feeding, say a short phrase and wait—does your baby vocalise as if taking a turn?

  • Bedtime: In a calm moment, whisper or sing softly and pause—does your baby respond with their own sound?

  • Play: Copy a sound your baby makes, then stop—does your baby vocalise again to continue the exchange?

Connected behaviours

Behaviours that scaffold, follow, or co-emerge with this one.

Where this comes from

The framework source and supporting developmental research.

Framework source

  • Development Matters in the EYFS (2012) — Communication and Language: Speaking (birth–11 months).

    Responsive vocalising with familiar adults is specified as a framework-native observable behaviour reflecting early communicative development.

Five-level rubric (detailed)Show

The full progression underlying the three levels above. Used by the platform’s reasoning agent when planning activities and observations.

Not Yet
Rarely makes vocal sounds in response to familiar adults’ talk; may remain quiet, avert gaze, or only cry/fuss. Sounds do not show a back-and-forth pattern with an adult.
  • When a familiar adult talks closely to the baby, the baby remains quiet or only fusses without adding coos/gurgles back.
  • During a calm routine (e.g., nappy change), the baby does not vocalise in response to the adult’s voice.
Emerging
Occasionally responds with coos, gurgles, or brief vocalisations when a familiar adult talks, but responses are inconsistent and depend on mood/state.
  • After a familiar adult says the baby’s name, the baby gives one short coo/sound once, but does not repeat it in the interaction.
  • The baby vocalises back only when highly excited or only when the adult uses a very animated voice.
Developing
Responds with vocal sounds during face-to-face interaction with familiar adults, showing short turn-taking sequences (adult talks → baby vocalises → adult responds).
  • In face-to-face play, the baby coos/babbles after the adult speaks, and the adult’s reply leads to another baby sound.
  • The baby makes a sound, pauses, then vocalises again after the adult responds, showing a simple turn-taking rhythm.
Secure
Regularly engages in vocal back-and-forth with familiar adults, using varied sounds and pausing as if waiting for the adult to reply in multiple routines.
  • During a familiar routine (feeding/nappy change), the baby consistently responds with vocal sounds each time the adult speaks and pauses.
  • The baby varies sounds (coos, squeals, babble-like sounds) and looks at the adult’s face while vocalising back.
Reflexive
Initiates and sustains vocal turn-taking, varying sounds to match or imitate the adult’s tone/pattern, and vocalises to re-engage the adult if interaction stops.
  • If the adult stops talking, the baby vocalises to draw the adult back into interaction and then pauses for the adult’s turn.
  • The baby changes their sound pattern after the adult changes tone (e.g., shifts from quiet coos to excited squeals when the adult becomes playful).