What behavior might indicate a child is developing normally in early stages?

The behavior of babbling and early speech is a strong indicator that a child is developing normally in the early stages of life. During infancy, particularly from around 4 to 6 months onward, children begin to explore their ability to produce sounds, which evolves into babbling. This stage of vocalization is crucial for language development, as it lays the foundation for later speech and communication skills.

Babbling not only demonstrates that the child's vocal cords are functioning properly but also signifies cognitive development in processing sounds and experimenting with speech. It serves as a precursor to forming words. This behavior typically develops around the same time as other significant milestones, such as social interaction and cognitive skills, further confirming normal development during this stage.

On the other hand, while behaviors such as extreme shyness, excessive clinginess, or aversive reactions to unfamiliar faces can be part of a child's range of normal emotional responses, they can also indicate levels of anxiety or discomfort that might warrant observation. These behaviors aren't universally indicative of healthy developmental progress at this stage in contrast to babbling, which is universally recognized as a positive sign of language acquisition and cognitive development.