At what age does a baby start clicking their tongue and why?

Language development in babies is a complex process that passes through several stages. The first sounds a baby makes are generally crying, followed by cooing and then the imitation of surrounding sounds. Among these sounds is tongue clicking, a distinctive noise produced by quickly separating the tongue from the roof of the mouth. In this article, we explore at what age babies click their tongue, why it happens and how this skill can be encouraged.

At what age does a baby start clicking their tongue?

There is no precise age at which all babies begin clicking their tongue, as it depends on each child's individual development. However, this behaviour is often observed between 6 and 12 months. At this age, babies become increasingly curious about their environment and begin experimenting with different sounds to communicate their emotions and desires. Tongue clicking is one of the many sounds they can produce using their mouth, tongue and palate.

Sounds produced before tongue clicking

Crying: from birth, babies cry to express their needs such as hunger, thirst or physical discomfort.

Cooing: around the age of 2 to 3 months, babies start to coo and make guttural sounds that can vary depending on their mood.

Babbling: between 4 and 6 months, babies develop more elaborate babbling with consonants and vowels combined to form syllables such as "ba-ba", "ma-ma" or "da-da".

Why does a baby click their tongue?

There are several reasons why a baby might click their tongue. Here are some possible explanations:

Exploration and imitation

Tongue clicking is often a sign that the baby is exploring their environment and imitating the sounds they hear. At this age, babies are very receptive to sounds and quickly learn to reproduce those that catch their attention. By hearing someone click their tongue around them, they may be encouraged to try making this sound themselves.

Communication

Although babies cannot yet speak, they already use various sounds to communicate their needs and desires. Tongue clicking can thus serve to attract the parents' attention or to express hunger — for example, if the baby associates this sound with the moment they receive food from a spoon.

Oral stimulation and development of oral motor skills

Tongue clicking can also be a way for the baby to stimulate their mouth and exercise the muscles used in speech. Such exercises help improve the coordination of movements involved in sound production, such as the articulation of words that will come later.

How to encourage a baby to click their tongue?

Here are some suggestions for encouraging your baby to explore this new skill:

Play with sounds and imitate them

If you notice that your baby is clicking their tongue or trying to produce this sound, take the time to respond by imitating the sound they have just made. This creates a sound dialogue between you and will encourage your child to keep practising.

Introduce them to other people who make this sound

Baby learns a great deal through imitation, so it is important to show them other people clicking their tongue. By watching different ways of producing this sound, they will experiment more and develop this ability more quickly.

Tell stories that include tongue clicking

Tales and nursery rhymes are an excellent way to introduce your baby to different sounds. By telling stories that feature characters who click their tongue, you not only encourage your child to discover new sounds, but also foster their attentive listening and spark their curiosity for words.

When to consult a professional?

However, if you notice that your child is unable to produce new sounds or is having difficulty with tongue clicking after several months of trying, it may be worth consulting a healthcare professional. A speech and language therapist will be able to assess the situation and determine whether your child might benefit from additional support in developing their language skills.

Signs that may indicate a developmental issue

Absence of cooing or babbling between 6 and 9 months

Difficulty producing different consonants after the age of one

Feeding or swallowing problems associated with tongue clicking

Persistent inability to imitate everyday sounds, including tongue clicking

In short, tongue clicking is a normal stage of language development in babies aged 6 to 12 months. It is important to encourage them in their vocal exploration and to stimulate them through various playful activities, whilst remaining attentive to any difficulties that might signal the need for professional consultation.