In my books I feel children should be heard rather than seen, despite what great Auntie Matilda says. She’s always going on about how noisy these children are every time she visits, but listen Auntie we have stuff to say and we need to get it out before we implode. Well the whole talking thing came on quite suddenly I must say. I would watch Mum and Dad doing the funny communicating thing, opening their mouths and these incredible sounds coming out of their them, and how miraculously the other party understood. Bizarre ritual dance I thought. Though “Just Dad’s” vocal ritual dance usually was a slow monotonous yes or occasional grunts, dotted with a numerous “Hmmm’s”, does Dad have a language all on to himself, a language that is made up of vocal noises than actual syllabled words?

Whilst Dad grunts, Mum’s vocal discord never stops. It rises and falls with jumps and starts, this beautiful lyrical discord takes on many twists and turns, its loud, fast and furious when I decide to scribble over her  beautiful couch with permanent marker and soft, warm and loving when she’s putting me to bed. My mother I feel like is a living example of the operatic masterpiece “Carmen”, loud, emotional, and beautifully written. So my parents vocally communicate quite mysteriously Dad grunts or “hmms” whilst Mum dominates most of the conversation. I want to do this I thought, how, in what way do I turn my mouth, tongue, lips and make would that come out. This was a great mystery to me for a long time. Then suddeny after my sudden outburst of “Mama” followed by “Dada”, in which my adoring public made up of Mum and Dad, went wild and took loads of pictures, I couldn’t stop. Afterwards everything fell into place, I was able to repeat whatever people said, and everyone thought I was very cute.

The only disadvantage is that now since I could communicate like the rest of the world. People need to watch what they say around me. I mean like the other day when Dad was having a lovely chat with some telecommunication provider, and Dad changed from his usual mode of grunts and hmm and started using actual words. But then the tone of the words kept rising and rising, and he used interesting words like “Shut-up” and “Idiiot”, they were also a few other, but thses wounded just brilliant I thought. They roll of the tongue with such ease, and if said quite loudly give you a certain internal satisfaction. I must used then next time. Oh hear comes Mum, now’s a good time as any, “Hello sweetheart” she goes, “How are you today”…okay here I go I respong with a thundering “Idiot”. Mum aghast looks at me, see the reaction…great word isn’t it Mum. Then as soon as she opens her mouth I follow it up with a “SHUT-UP”. Mum if floored, her face is a thundering, is not that happiness at my new found skills Mum. Just at that moment Dad walks in, and Mum gives if such a look. Oh boy if looks could kill we don’t really need words!!!!I see trouble brewing!

When do babies start talking?

Babies talk at 18 months. Babies at this age say up to 10 simple words and can point to people, objects, and body parts you name for them. They repeat words or sounds they hear you say, like the last word in a sentence. But they often leave off endings or beginnings of words. He'll begin by using his tongue, lips, palate, and any emerging teeth to make sounds (cries at first, then "ooh's" and "ahh's" in the first month or two, and babbling shortly thereafter). Soon those sounds will become real words – "mama" and "dada" may slip out and bring tears to your eyes as early as 6 months. From then on, your baby will pick up more words from you and everyone else around him.

How can you help?

You can help your child's language skills along by providing a rich and nurturing communication environment. The most important things to do:

Talk: You don't need to chatter nonstop, but speak to your baby whenever you're together. Describe what you're doing, point things out, ask questions, and sing songs. (Although using clear, simple speech is okay, resist the temptation to coo and babble. Your child learns to speak well by hearing you speak well.)

Read: Reading to your child is a great way to expose him to new vocabulary, the way sentences are put together, and how stories flow. As a baby he'll delight in the sound of your voice, as a toddler he'll enjoy the stories and pictures, and by the time he's a preschooler he may even jump in to tell you what's going on in a book.

Listen: When your child talks to you, be a good listener – look at him and be responsive. He's more likely to speak up when he knows you're interested in what he's saying.

By Mayuri Jayasinghe