9–12 months
Watch & Point
Following where you point is the first real conversation.
Between nine and twelve months, most babies start reliably following a caregiver's gaze and pointing gestures — and often begin pointing themselves. This shared attention to the same object at the same time is the mechanism researchers believe underlies early word learning: baby looks at what you're looking at, hears the word, and starts building the link. Carrying baby around and naming what you both notice, especially during routines like bath time, gives this mechanism something to work with every day.
- Joint-attention games: point, name, pause
- Naming objects and body parts during routines baby already loves
- Checking whether baby's eyes follow your point
- A small set of objects repeated often, not a long list
🏠Watch & Point
Carry your baby around and name what you both notice — the shared attention that builds early words.
2 activities
🥄Mealtime Words
Finger foods and simple requests as baby starts self-feeding.
2 activities
👕Getting Dressed
Narrating arms, legs and shoes during the daily dressing routine.
2 activities
🧸First Games with Toys
Simple cause-and-effect games that build early anticipation and words.
2 activities
🐦Out in the World
Expanding beyond the house — animals, birds and new sights at the park.
2 activities
🧍Standing & Cruising
Narrating and cheering on the big new motor leap — pulling up to stand and taking sideways steps along furniture.
2 activities
👋Waving Bye-Bye & Clapping
Prompting and celebrating baby's first communicative gestures — waving hello and goodbye, and clapping along.
2 activities
💦Bath Time Splashes
Bath time turns into active play — splashing, pouring and scooping give language a fast, physical, and very wet outlet.
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