Speech Pathologists Questions Speech and Language Problems in Children

Why is dada most children's first word?

My 2 year olds first word was dada. Why is dada most children's first word?

2 Answers

SpeechPathologistsSpeechandLanguageProblemsinChildren
Mama is actually easier for infants to say than dada. ... However, "mama" only requires the lips to open and close. Infants have traditionally said "dada" first because while in the home with their mothers all day they hear talk about their father.
Our tongue naturally falls in a position resting on the alveolar ridge (same place for “d” sound), so it is a common first sound for children.

Ali Matisse, MS CCC-SLP
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