At what age do children generally start using their first words?

Children typically start using their first words around 12 to 13 months of age. This developmental milestone marks a significant transition from pre-verbal communication, characterized by gestures and sounds, to verbal communication where children begin to express themselves through recognizable words.

At around this age, infants have developed enough cognitive and motor skills to articulate their needs and desires verbally, often starting with simple words like "mama" or "dada." The introduction of first words is a crucial part of language acquisition and cognitive development, as it allows children to engage more effectively with their caregivers and surrounding environment, fostering social interactions and learning.

Understanding this timeline is important as it helps caregivers and educators track language development and identify any potential delays in communication skills at an early age, which can be critical for effective intervention and support.