Birth–11 monthsSpeakingCommunication and Language: Speaking
Practises and gradually develops speech sounds (babbling) to communicate with adults; says sounds like ‘baba, nono, gogo’.
Observe whether the child: practises and gradually develops speech sounds (babbling) to communicate with adults; says sounds like ‘baba, nono, gogo’.
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
Produces coos/gurgles and occasional repeated sounds, but babbling is limited, not varied, or not clearly directed to an adult as communication.
What you might see
During calm face-to-face time, the baby does not produce repeated syllable sounds and remains mostly silent unless crying.
When a familiar adult talks, the baby does not respond with babble-like sounds (only fussing or brief squeaks).
Makes occasional coos or gurgles but does not produce repeated syllables like “ba-ba” or “go-go”.
Produces a repeated sound once, but it does not recur and is not used to continue interaction with the adult.
Expected
On track
Babbles with repeated syllable-like sounds (e.g., “ba-ba”, “go-go”) during interaction with familiar adults, sometimes taking turns when the adult responds.
What you might see
Looks at a familiar adult and produces a repeated syllable sequence (e.g., “ba-ba-ba”), then pauses as if waiting.
Babbles during a routine (feeding/nappy change) and repeats the sound when the adult responds.
Exceeding
Going further
Regularly babbles with a range of syllable patterns and uses babbling to communicate with adults across routines, showing back-and-forth and persistence to keep interaction going.
What you might see
Uses several different babble patterns in one interaction (e.g., switches from “ba-ba” to “ga-ga”) while looking at the adult’s face.
When the adult pauses, the baby babbles again to re-start the exchange and continues for multiple turns.
After an adult repeats a sound, the baby attempts a similar sound pattern back (not exact, but clearly an imitation attempt).
Uses babbling plus a gesture (e.g., arm lift/reach) and eye contact to communicate, then waits for the adult’s response before babbling again.
Try this at home
Small everyday moments where you can notice this behaviour without setting up anything special.
Face-to-face play: Copy one of your baby’s sounds, then pause—do they babble back with repeated syllables (e.g., “ba-ba”) and keep the exchange going?
Mealtime: During feeding, talk and pause—does your baby respond with babbling rather than only coos or fussing?
Bath time: While splashing, pause and look expectantly—does your baby babble to continue the interaction?
Bedtime: In a calm moment, whisper a simple syllable (e.g., “ba-ba”) and wait—does your baby attempt a babble-like response?
Connected behaviours
Behaviours that scaffold, follow, or co-emerge with this one.
The framework source and supporting developmental research.
Framework source
Development Matters in the EYFS (2012) — Communication and Language: Speaking (birth–11 months).
Babbling development is specified as an observable behaviour supporting early speech sound practice and social communication in infancy.
Five-level rubric (detailed)ShowHide
The full progression underlying the three levels above. Used by the platform’s reasoning agent when planning activities and observations.
Not Yet
Does not yet practise babbling-like speech sounds with adults; vocal output is mostly crying or brief non-speech sounds without repeated syllable patterns. Vocalising is not used to engage an adult.
During calm face-to-face time, the baby does not produce repeated syllable sounds and remains mostly silent unless crying.
When a familiar adult talks, the baby does not respond with babble-like sounds (only fussing or brief squeaks).
Emerging
Produces coos/gurgles and occasional repeated sounds, but babbling is limited, not varied, or not clearly directed to an adult as communication.
Makes occasional coos or gurgles but does not produce repeated syllables like “ba-ba” or “go-go”.
Produces a repeated sound once, but it does not recur and is not used to continue interaction with the adult.
Developing
Babbles with repeated syllable-like sounds (e.g., “ba-ba”, “go-go”) during interaction with familiar adults, sometimes taking turns when the adult responds.
Looks at a familiar adult and produces a repeated syllable sequence (e.g., “ba-ba-ba”), then pauses as if waiting.
Babbles during a routine (feeding/nappy change) and repeats the sound when the adult responds.
Secure
Regularly babbles with a range of syllable patterns and uses babbling to communicate with adults across routines, showing back-and-forth and persistence to keep interaction going.
Uses several different babble patterns in one interaction (e.g., switches from “ba-ba” to “ga-ga”) while looking at the adult’s face.
When the adult pauses, the baby babbles again to re-start the exchange and continues for multiple turns.
Reflexive
Experiments with new sound combinations and intonation while babbling, sometimes imitating an adult’s rhythm, and uses babbling with eye contact/gesture to initiate and sustain social exchanges.
After an adult repeats a sound, the baby attempts a similar sound pattern back (not exact, but clearly an imitation attempt).
Uses babbling plus a gesture (e.g., arm lift/reach) and eye contact to communicate, then waits for the adult’s response before babbling again.
