My daughter-in-law has just sent me a short video of my 13month granddaughter. She can clearly be heard saying, “bye bye” and “dada.” She then attempts to say “Billy” – yes you’ve guessed it, Bill the boxer! But when it comes to “mama” she just looks at her mum, and laughs and replies “nah!”
This sort of babbling is entertaining, (I’ve watched the video many times with a smile on my face), it’s cute and it’s important in normal childhood development. It indicates my granddaughter can hear, she can mimic noises and can associate sounds with what she sees. It is the rudimentary beginning of complex language and communication.
The Bible has several references to babbling, mostly in a negative context. In Proverbs 10 v19 “sin is not ended by multiplying words but the prudent hold their tongues.” In Matthew 6 v 7 Jesus instructs his disciples on prayer, “do not keep babbling like pagans for they think they will be heard because of their many words”. And in 2 Timothy 2v16 “avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.”
Whereas for my granddaughter, it is a normal and essential part of her developmental milestones, for us as adults mindless unintelligible babbling is meaningless, simply repeating words for the sake of something to say is unhelpful.
Hearing the words “bye bye”, “dada” signify an obvious meaning, clear communication.
What sort of language do we use- mindless chatter or Christian witness, malicious gossip or simple words of encouragement?
Prayer: Merciful Father, as we listen to the babbling of a toddler, help us to develop the language of love. Forgive us for the times when our babbling has been meaningless, or when the words we have used have hurt. May all that we say speak of your grace and love. Amen