Kids typically start talking by saying their first words between 9 and 12 months of age. Before that, they begin babbling around 4 to 6 months, producing sounds like "ba-ba" or "da-da," which are important precursors to talking. By 12 months, many babies say a few simple words such as "mama" and "dada." Between 12 and 18 months, their vocabulary starts to grow, and they begin using words to express themselves more clearly. By 18 to 24 months, toddlers often combine two or more words into simple phrases and have a vocabulary of about 50 to 100 words. By age 2 to 3 years, they typically form longer sentences and have rapidly expanding vocabularies. Key milestones:

• 4 to 6 months: Babbling begins with repetitive sounds.
• 9 to 12 months: First words like "mama" and "dada."
• 12 to 18 months: Vocabulary grows, simple words used actively.
• 18 to 24 months: Combine words into phrases, vocabulary expands.
• 2 to 3 years: Use of longer sentences and more complex language.

This timeline represents typical language development, but individual children may vary. If delays occur beyond these windows, consulting a healthcare professional is advisable.