What is typical language development by 12 months?

At 12 months, typical language development includes using one or more words intentionally with correct meaning. By this age, most infants begin to communicate their needs and thoughts using recognizable words, such as "mama" or "dada." This intentional use of words signifies a significant milestone in language development, indicating that the child not only can produce sounds but is also starting to understand that specific sounds convey specific meanings.

This stage of development is characterized by the emergence of expressive language skills, allowing infants to begin to label objects and express basic wants or needs. This foundational skill sets the stage for further language acquisition and development in subsequent months. Understanding and following complex instructions or displaying complete fluency in sentence structures is not typical for a 12-month-old, as these skills usually develop later. While infants may produce vocalizations, they generally do not lack understanding; instead, they are in the early phases of comprehension and expression of language.