First Words & First Steps
Rahul is almost one year old. He says his first word and takes his first wobbly steps — a proud moment for the whole family.
Key words and phrases
Useful sentences
- Ask Has he said any words yet?
- Answer Yes, his first word was "mama" last week!
- Ask Is he crawling on his own now?
- Answer Yes, he crawls everywhere and pulls himself up to stand.
- Ask When did he take his first steps?
- Answer He took his first wobbly steps yesterday evening.
- Ask Is it normal that he only babbles and doesn't speak clearly?
- Answer Yes, that's completely normal at this age.
- Ask How can we encourage him to walk more?
- Answer Hold his hands and let him practise a few steps every day.
- Ask Does he wave goodbye now?
- Answer Yes, he waves every time we leave the room.
- Ask Can he clap his hands yet?
- Answer Yes, he claps whenever he hears music.
- Ask Does he pull himself up on furniture?
- Answer Yes, he pulls up using the sofa and the table.
- Ask How is his balance while standing?
- Answer It's improving, but he still holds on to something.
- Ask Can he walk unaided across the room?
- Answer Almost — he took a few unaided steps yesterday!
Dialogue
VikramAnita, come quickly! He just took his first steps!
AnitaOh wow, look at him go — he's so wobbly but so determined!
GrandmotherHe's growing so fast. Wasn't he just crawling last month?
AnitaYes, and he babbles so much now too — I think he'll speak soon.
VikramLet's note this on his milestone chart — first steps at eleven months!
GrandmotherHe even waved goodbye to his grandfather this morning!
GrandfatherAnd he clapped his hands when I sang to him. He's growing up so fast.
AnitaHe's trying to balance on his own too, without holding the sofa.
VikramLet's cheer him on — come on, Rahul, walk to Papa!
AnitaLook, he's doing it — he's walking almost unaided now!
Common mistakes
- Saying "he is walked" instead of "he is walking" or "he has started walking."
- Saying "he speaks his first word" instead of "he said his first word" for a completed event.
- Using "baby" and "toddler" interchangeably — a toddler specifically refers to a child who has begun walking.
- Saying "he clapped" for an ongoing habitual action instead of "he claps" — use the simple present for things he does repeatedly.
- Saying "he balanced good" instead of "he balances well" or "his balance is improving."
- Saying "walk without aid" instead of the more natural "walk unaided" or "walk without help."
Quick quiz
1. A young child who has recently learned to walk is called a ___.
2. Making speech-like sounds before real words is called ___.
3. Complete: "His first steps were still a little ___."
4. What does "walk unaided" mean?
5. What is a "milestone" in a baby's development?
6. Complete: "He ___ himself up using the sofa."
Practise speaking and listening
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