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First Words in Spanish — What to Expect and How to Encourage Them

By Palabra Garden

You’re sitting on the kitchen floor with your 14-month-old while she plays with measuring cups. Suddenly, clear as day, she looks up at you and says, “Agua.” Just one word. Just her voice saying the Spanish word for water. You freeze. Your heart does that thing where it swells and flutters at once. You immediately call your partner: “She said her first word! In Spanish!”

Then doubt creeps in. Is one word enough? Should she have more by now? And why is it Spanish when she hears English most of the day? Are bilingual babies slower to talk? Should you be worried?

What this post covers

  • When Bilingual Children Typically Say First Words
  • What Bilingual First Words Look Like
  • The Role of Comprehension Before Production
  • How to Encourage First Spanish Words (Without Pressure)
  • When Bilingual Children Use Code-Mixing
  • The Quiet Period (And How Not to Panic)
  • Building on First Words: The 50-Word Explosion
  • Key Takeaway: Bilingual First Words Arrive on Their Own Timeline
  • About the Author

This post is being migrated from the previous site. The full version originally appeared on palabragarden.com.

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