Children are born with an innate readiness, drive, and aptitude for language and communication (Talay-Ongan, 2004, p.129). From birth, newborns begin to listen to the sounds around them and, within a few weeks, can distinguish language from other sounds (Fellowes & Oakley, 2014, p. 54). Likewise, a newborn's first cries, coos, and babbles are not simply involuntary sounds, but essential precursors to the development of speech and language (Watts, 1944). Around two months of age, frequent vowel-like sounds and laughter begin, and infants become more sensitive to speech spoken to them. They also develop specific sounds or ways of crying for different reasons, such as when hungry, uncomfortable or tired. (Fellowes and Oakley, 2014, p. 54). Around four months, infants begin to register tone of voice and facial expressions, are more verbally receptive, and around six months, they begin to recognize specific words and experiment even more with sounds. During this stage, loud toys, music and other sounds start to become interesting and they continue to try to engage more with their