Engage in a one-on-one conversation with your baby by responding to facial expressions and noises.
Learning Area(s): Language and Communication; Social and Emotional
LET'S PLAY
While cuddling or playing with your baby, respond to his coos, squeals, smiles, or cries by making eye contact and talking to him in a kind voice. You might say, “Yes, Kenji! That lion is soft. Do you like the way it feels in your mouth?” or “I hear you crying, Kenji. Tell me what’s wrong.” Pause and look at your baby with an expectant face to see if he will respond to you by vocalizing sounds, changing his facial expressions, or moving his mouth. You can make an animated voice and facial expressions or make silly sounds to respond to and engage your baby in further conversation. Respond promptly to any attempt your baby makes at communicating. Continue as long as your baby is attentive and seems interested.
TIPS
- Keep sentences short and simple so your baby can better make sense of what you are saying.
- Changing your intonations and pitch in an expressive, warm way (often called “motherese” or “parentese”) is very powerful because babies respond by listening more carefully.
- Asking questions while talking with babies helps them learn about voice tones and variations. For example, questions sound different from statements. It also introduces them to back-and-forth turn-taking in conversations, especially when you pause after a question and wait for a response.
- Use the correct word for an object (such as “bottle” instead of “baba”) because you are helping your baby hear the real word, process it, and remember it even if they cannot yet say the complete word themselves.