What To Talk To Babies

What To Talk To Babies?

• You can use shorter words but there's no need to 'baby talk'.
• Your baby can't learn to say things correctly if you don't say them the right way.
• Babies will speak their way until they have learnt the correct way. They have to practice.
• It's still a good idea to speak to the baby as they speak to you. When they make a sound, make it back. Encourage them to make another sound by smiling. Pretend to talk to them. This is how babies learn that people take turns in speaking.
• Repeating the sound your baby makes is not the same as 'baby talk'.
• The more you talk to your baby the more they will learn. Babies love it when you sing too. They also love having simple books with big pictures read to them, even before they can understand much.
• Encourage your baby to use the correct words. For instance when baby says 'baba' you can say 'Yes, bottle!'. This way baby learns that it's good to talk and is hearing the right word as well. They usually love waving goodbye and saying 'bye bye'.
• We learn to talk because we want to communicate. Children usually learn the language of their parents and community.
• Children imitate the words, tone and manner in which people around them speak.
• As your baby gets older you can give it simple instructions. Try something simple like 'Clap hands'. If baby enjoys that, do it again. If baby doesn't know what to do, take their hands and clap them for baby - make it fun.
• When you talk to your baby you do many things. You help your baby to:
  • hear language and patterns
  • learn that words have meanings and that language has structure
  • understand that people talk by taking turns to speak and listen
  • learn who are their main care givers
  • feel secure and trusting
  • learn that people are different
  • learn about themselves and how they can change the way people behave towards them.
• Remember language is about meaning. Language development is really important.

Parenting tips & parenting articles copyright & courtesy
Department for Community Devlp, Australia.

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