Your baby begins to understand the language you use even before they can replicate it. That’s because language learning occurs along two interconnected pathways. Receptive language - which develops earliest - is the ability to comprehend (incoming) language, while expressive language (outgoing) relates to a child’s ability to communicate his/her thoughts. One important thing for parents to note about receptive language is this: Children are always listening and learning. Even before you might think they are. So choose the language they are exposed to (both in person and via media) very carefully, never assuming they’re too little for it to matter. Remember too that the things you say to - and about - your child will eventually become the things they say to/about themselves. This mom (lei.plummer on IG) knows the way. Loving her sweet affirmation and her son’s adorable reaction.