Some children frequently communicate by repeating lines from their favorite television shows, or directly imitating what others say to them. This form of communication is called echolalia. Echolalia refers to repeating words, phrases, or sentences spoken by others. It can occur immediately (right after hearing something) or be delayed (repeating something heard earlier — even hours, days, or weeks later).

Before babies say their first words, they’re already busy learning how to communicate. These early skills — called prelinguistic skills — form the foundation for language development. By understanding and supporting these skills, caregivers can help children build strong communication abilities that will support them for life.