Listen To Your Baby

It's important to establish verbal communication between you and your baby early on. Although your baby can't say any words yet, their babbling and gurgling noises are actually their way of trying to talk to you. It's important to listen to your baby's babbling, so that they know you're interested in what they are trying to tell you. Your baby wants to be included in your conversation, and this includes not only talking to them, but letting them respond. Their responses will include waving their arms or legs excitedly, smiling, gurgling, grunting; any kind of noise your baby makes back at you is an early way of talking back to you (no doubt you'll get lots of that as they grow older!).

Listen to your baby and when they are finished respond to them, saying phrases such as 'really? That's interesting!', and 'oh wow, i didn't know that!'. Let them know that you are interested in what they say to you, and look at them when they are talking. Not only does this encourage them to talk and boost their ego, but it teaches them how a conversation works. When you talk to your baby, pause in between sentences to give them time to respond. When you ask them questions, or show them a picture in a book, wait for them to respond.

You can also repeat the noises your baby makes back to them. They will be delighted to hear you making these noises. When they are able to imitate sounds, you can start making other noises, such as 'ba-ba' 'da-da', 'ma-ma' 'ga-ga' and wait for them to respond back to you!