Babies’ brains are capable of distinguishing sounds of all languages until approximately eight months of age, at which point their brains solely focus on sounds nearby. According to this new research, conducted by the University of Washington, this transition is not entirely clear but may depend on social interactions and exaggerated style of speech from caregivers.

The researchers found that in seven- and 11-month old infants, sounds of speech stimulate the parts of the brain that coordinate and plan motor movements in preparation for speech.

Results from the study were published July 14 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. These results indicate that baby brains begin the foundation of how to form words prior to beginning to speak, which may impact developmental transition.

Patricia Kuhl, lead author and co-director of UW’s Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences, said in a statement, “Most babies babble by 7 months, but don’t utter their first words until after their first birthdays.” She continued, “Finding activation in motor areas of the brain when infants are simply listening is significant, because it means the baby brain is engaged in trying to talk back right from the start and suggests that 7-month-olds’ brains are already trying to figure out how to make the right movements that will produce words.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, by the age of 12 months, a child may attempt to imitate words or even say a few simple words such as “dada,” “mama,” and “uh-oh.”