The period of infant development characterized by the production of consonant-vowel sounds that increasingly resemble speech is a significant milestone. This phase, typically emerging between approximately six and twelve months of age, involves vocalizations that are not yet meaningful words but represent an early form of language exploration. An example includes repetitive sounds such as “dadada” or “mamama,” which, while sounding word-like, are primarily motor practice for speech production.
The importance of this pre-linguistic vocal activity resides in its contribution to both phonetic development and social interaction. It allows infants to experiment with and refine their articulatory skills, laying the foundation for future language acquisition. Furthermore, responsive interactions from caregivers during this period can foster a child’s motivation to communicate and strengthen the bond between them. Historically, this developmental stage has been a key area of research for understanding typical and atypical language development.