Why do babies learn language so quickly in the first few years?

Young children's brains are highly adaptable, which makes it easier to pick up phonemes, grammar patterns, and vocabulary from the environment. Language learning is supported by repeated exposure, social interaction, and the brain's ability to form and strengthen neural connections quickly. This is why children can absorb several languages naturally when they hear them often enough. Over time, the brain becomes less flexible, but still capable of learning throughout life.