Babies generally say their first words around 12 months of age, though there is considerable individual variation. Some babies may start speaking a few months earlier, while others might begin a few months later, with some not speaking recognizable words until 18 months or more. Prior to speaking words, babies typically go through stages of cooing and babbling starting around 4 to 7 months. By about 12 to 14 months, many babies can say a few words with meaning, and by 18 months their vocabulary typically grows to about 10 words or more.
