What characterized the language development of infants aged 4 to 6 months?

Infants aged 4 to 6 months exhibit a significant milestone in their language development characterized by babbling. During this stage, babies start to produce a variety of sounds, which includes repetitive consonant-vowel combinations, such as “ba-ba” or “da-da.” This babbling often has the rhythm and prosody of speech, mimicking the intonation patterns they hear in their environment. This is a crucial period for language acquisition as it lays the foundation for later speech and communication skills.

Babbling indicates that infants are not only hearing language but also beginning to experiment with their own vocalizations. The rhythm associated with their babbling resembles the natural flow of conversation, hinting at their growing understanding of the social aspects of communication. This exploration helps develop their oral motor skills and reinforces their auditory experiences, which are vital for their future learning and language development.