What Is Toddler Jabbering?

Your toddler is jabbering at you and you have no idea what he is saying. Jabbering or babbling is a normal part of speech and language development for babies and toddlers. Dr. Bob McMurray, associate professor of development at the University of Iowa, has explored jabbering. In a USA Today article, he explains that babbling is an important step in language development.

  1. What Is Jabbering?

    • When children jabber, they use parts of words to communicate. Dr. Mary L. Gavin, of the Alfred DuPont Hospital for Children, points out in KidsHealth.org that toddlers have heard and learned fragments of hundreds of words. As they learn to communicate, they begin to string these parts together. McMurray adds that toddlers begin to jabber after they have mastered one or two words. This behavior leads the child to a language explosion. Most toddlers enter their 2nd year recognizing only one or two words. However, they will use dozens and understand hundreds by the time they turn 2.

    Introducing Inflection

    • Language is much more complex than just knowing the right words for objects and people. Your toddler isn̵7;t just learning language; she is learning how to have a conversation. When people talk, they use inflection: low tones to make a point or high pitches to ask a question. People also gesture with their hands and head to add emphasis to their words. Dr. Hope Dickinson, coordinator of speech-language pathology services at Children̵7;s Hospital of Boston, points out that children practice conversation long before they have words. This babbling conversation can be very animated. Your child may babble at you and pause, waiting for you to respond.

    How Parents Help

    • Talking to your child is one of the best ways to help her through this stage. McMurray encourages parents to talk and read to toddlers every day. Exposure to many words helps her to learn them over time. Gavin tells parents to play word games with toddlers such as patty-cake. This helps her to match words and actions in a fun repetitive way. Dickenson advocates babbling back to the toddler. This is a game that teaches inflection, gesture and the rules of conversation.

    When to Worry

    • Jabbering is a stage. If your child isn̵7;t using words by 14 to 16 months, there may be an issue. In addition, if your child is babbling only vowel sounds without consonants, it may be time to visit the pediatrician. Autism, hearing problems and learning issues all respond better to early diagnosis and treatment.

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