What Counts as a Word? Early Speech and Language for Babies and Toddlers

Parents often wonder what counts as a word.

Hearing your baby’s first word is an exciting moment, but what exactly counts as a word? When babies and toddlers are learning to talk, they make many sounds but their attempts at words are sometimes different from the adult version.

What Makes a Word?

For young children, a word doesn’t have to sound perfect. If your child uses the same sound or noise to name something most times, that counts as a word. For example, if your baby says “ba” every time they see a ball, or “nana” when they want a banana, these are words! As long as they use the sound the same way most times, it counts.

Words Aren’t Just Sounds

Words can also be gestures, signs, or animal noises. If your child uses a sign for “more” or says “woof” when they see a dog, those are also considered words. These types of communication show that your child understands and is trying to tell you something, even if it’s not with the accurate word yet.

Why Consistency Matters

It’s not about saying the word perfectly; it’s about how your child uses it. If your toddler says “daw” whenever they see a dog, it means they know what they are talking about, even if the pronunciation isn’t perfect. The important thing is that your child is using the same sound or gesture to mean “dog”.  

Celebrate Early Words

Every child learns to talk at their own speed, and their first words might not sound like adult words, but that’s okay! With every sound, word, or gesture they use, these early steps are building blocks for them to become great talkers later on.

Want More Information?

Each Looksee Checklist features a short list of “yes” or “no” questions about a child’s abilities that include communication. As an example, download the 18 month checklist for free HERE and checkout the communication tips to help them grow. 

If you have concerns about your child’s speech development contact a Speech Language Pathologist or your health care professional.  

Check out our helpful videos HERE.

Have more questions?

Contact Pam at info@lookseechecklist.com or 1.888.582.0944

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