Kicks, summersaults, and bounces. In the womb, your baby found plenty of ways to communicate. But you may be surprised to learn that he was listening, too. And hearing your side of the conversation.

The human brain is programmed to learn language. So even before your baby was born, he was getting ready for the task. Listening intently to all kinds of sounds. Now he's an infant. And there's nothing more fun and stimulating than a little face-to-face chat with Mom. And you know what? The more you use a soft, high-pitched, "baby talk" voice, the more he'll enjoy it.

Babies learn language at different rates. And it's perfectly natural for them to go at their own pace. In describing how infants develop, we'll give you some "typical" time frames. But don't worry if your baby doesn't conform to this schedule. Like all of us, he has entered the world with his own unique personality.

At Two Months

Babies start to make sounds other than cries in as little as two weeks. And by about the second month, you may start to hear those adorable "aah" sounds. That's because your baby is now able to copy some of the vowel sounds you make. As long as they are already in his library of sounds. It's a game of "vocal volley" both you and your baby can enjoy.

At Three Months

Your baby's language skills are now developed enough so that he can create different vowel sounds regularly and on his own. These "oohs" and "aahs" are called "coos." Babies coo to start a conversation. They coo to respond. And they coo just because it feels good. Try playing a little game with your baby. Take turns mimicking each other's cooing sounds. He'll love it. And so will you. He might even flash a tiny social smile in response to all the fun he is having. This special interaction you share is important for the both of you.

At Five Months

Around month five, babies start making consonant sounds. Like "b," "n" and "m." Once your baby gets those down, he'll be set to do some serious "babbling," repeating single consonants like "mmmm" or a consonant and a vowel like "bababa." Then you'll see just how closely he's been listening to your every word. He'll start using various intonations and making "sentences" just like a grown-up.

At Nine Months

You may secretly think your baby is the smartest and most beautiful in the world. Well, just wait until he starts connecting words with their meanings. Then you'll realize what a true genius he is. Names of family members and pets. Words like "cookie" or "shoe." What fun he'll have as he begins to understand how it all works.

At One Year

Your baby will learn what different words mean long before he is able to say them. By the time you help him blow out the candles on his first birthday cake, he might understand a whole bunch of words. Maybe even as many as 70. And he might be able to pronounce half a dozen of them. Continue to enjoy chatting with your baby. Sing to him. Read to him. And watch as his vocabulary and ability to express himself literally take off.