A new Canadian Press article discussed babies’ first words and what they mean.
According to UBC developmental psychologist Janet Werker, while “mama” and “papa” are often babies’ first utterances, they can’t really be called words until there’s intent, which typically happens after 12 months of age.
However, a study by another UBC researcher, Jenn Campbell, found that even six-month-old babies can understand labels for their mother and father, even though they might not make those sounds for another couple of months.
This article appeared in the Globe and Mail, Yahoo, CTV News, Ottawa Citizen, Montreal Gazette, Calgary Herald, Saskatoon Star Phoenix, Edmonton Journal, and The Province.
