Talking with your baby...

Though your baby is not using words to communicate, communication is taking place!

Different ways children communicate with no words.

• crying
• smiling
• moving arms and legs
• reaching
• hitting
• pulling
• throwing
• vocalizing
• looking at objects
• looking at you
• laughing
• pointing

Fun ways to encourage vocalizations and babble.

• Use sounds for appropriate situations and feelings. For example:
  • Mmmmm That's my favorite cookie!
  • Ooooooh I wonder where it is?
  • Ahhhhhh What a pretty baby!
• Use words to describe feelings, actions, and situations. While playing with your child, use words to aid in developing language skills. Use words such as.
  • Hello/Bye-bye
  • Make a toy telephone with items around your house
  • Talk into the phone with your child and allow your child to play with the phone himself
  • Playing peek-a-boo is another way to introduce back and forth communication; a fun way to develop a new skill!
  • All Gone: "All Gone" can be used all throughout a child's day. During feeding times, when your child is finished with his meal, say, "All Gone" to signal that meal time is over. While playing on the floor with your child, hide a toy under your hand saying, "All Gone" which will entice your child to interact with you by moving your hand and looking for the toy.
  • More: "More" is a word that can be used during several activities during your child's day. At snack time, only give a little at a time prompting your child to ask for more. To encourage vocalization while reading a book with your child, pause at the end of the page and prompt your child to ask for "more".
  • Up: Throughout the day, you are constantly picking up your child out of car seats, high chairs, cribs, and even off the floor. When picking your child up, encourage vocalization by saying, "Up".