Are you eager to teach your baby to talk? Can you hardly wait for those first few words? Long before your child says "Mama" or "Papa," she is learning a lot about her native language. How? By listening to your voice.
Normal babies learn to understand a language before they learn to speak it. That is why an important infant activity is talking to your baby, even though she is not yet ready to answer. Your busy day offers many chances for baby teaching as you talk to your infant. You can do it almost anywhere and at any time. She is happy to hear about every little chore because your voice is "music to her ears."
What You Need
Time with your baby
Let's Go
As you go through your day, talk to your baby about what you are doing at that moment. For example, if you are preparing a meal, talk about each step in the process, such as getting the food from the cupboard or refrigerator, chopping a vegetable or pouring a glass of milk. Comment on how things look, smell or feel to you. "That apple is so red!" or "This bread smells fresh!"
Remember to use lots of expression when you talk to your baby. That will help keep her interested and paying attention. When she starts to look away often or fuss, that is a sign that she's had enough conversation for now.
Janet Pletcher has a Master's Degree in Child Development and is the instructor of the Early Childhood Education/Teacher Cadet program at Ingham Intermediate School District.