Sorry mom. But a survey reported in the London Daily Telegraph claims that “daddy” is often the first spoken word. Not far behind – as reported by 10 per cent of respondents – is “mama.” More unusual first words like “beer” and “cat” were reported as well. Some 95 per cent of parents remember their baby spoke their first word between the ages of 10-11 months.
The poll reported that one in six children experience difficulties learning to speak, and that boys have more problems than girls. Girls were quicker to put two words together, with 22 per cent doing so by their first birthday. Only 16 per cent of boys had mastered this trick by the age of 1.
Six in 10 parents believe that being able to talk, understand and listen are the most important skills their young child should develop. This far surpassed skills like interacting with others (26 per cent), reading (11 per cent), numbers (2 per cent), and writing (1 per cent).
Learning to talk is one of the most important skills a child can master in the 21st century, since the ability to communicate is fundamental to everything else.
According to the poll, many parents encourage their child’s communication skills by looking at picture books together, playing word games, telling stories and reciting nursery rhymes.