Babies learn language from the time they are born. Every lullaby, giggle, and peek-a-boo game triggers brain development. Building communication into day-to-day activities is easy, and has benefits for the rest of your child's life! Eye contact is a very important part of communication. Bring your baby close to your face and smile, laugh, and talk to your baby.
Follow your baby's lead, and encourage sounds, gestures, and words. Respond to any sounds your child makes. Repeat "oohs" and "ahs", use a lot of expression, and have fun. Sing or say a favorite song or rhyme over and over, encouraging your child to imitate. Add to what your child says, using more words, e.g. child: "tree", parent: "the tree has leaves".
Use dressing, bathing, and diaper changes to talk, sing, and play "peek a boo". Name body parts using the correct names.
Hold your baby close during feeding, and talk or sing softly. Babies like to hear many different sounds - high and low tones - but remember, loud noises will upset them.
When your child is ready for solid foods, around the age of six months, sit facing your baby, and chat while you offer food. Imitate sounds and actions, like lip smacking, coos, and gurgles, so your child learns about the give-and-take of communication.
Mealtimes are also good opportunities to increase your child's vocabulary. Repeat names of foods, and talk about what is going on. Offer choices, e.g. "Do you want the red cup, or the blue cup?" Use words to describe amount and texture, e.g. "Do you want a little, or a lot?"; "This is mushy", or "crunchy".
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| Include stories and picture books in your child's daily routine. |
Think about how much TV your child is watching. Choose children's programs with songs, rhymes, and stories. Cuddle up with your child, and talk about what you are seeing.
On outings, talk about where you are going, and what you will do when you get there. By pointing out things along the way, you will add words to your child's vocabulary, and make the trip more fun.
Include a story in your child's bedtime routine. Cuddle up, and wind down, with a good book.
Make talking fun, not stressful. Reward your child's attempts and successes with lots of hugs, kisses, smiles, and cheers. Be realistic. Children make mistakes as they learn. Rather than saying "that's wrong", provide the proper word or sound, e.g. child: "I see a tar"; parent: "you see a car".
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| Get down at eye level to play. |
Here are some signs of potential problems:
Birth to 3 months: Does not react to sounds, or turn to you when you speak.
4 to 6 months: Does not smile, coo, squeal, or look at you when you talk.
6 to 12 months: Does not babble, or has many ear infections.
12 to 18 months: Does not try to talk, or dislikes being with others.
18 months to 2 years: Uses more gestures than words, or does not understand simple directions.
2 to 3 years: Gets frustrated, is difficult to understand, cannot put 2-3 words together, stutters, or does not make eye contact.
| Playing, talking, and reading are some of the most important things you can do to help your baby learn. |  |
Your baby must be able to hear in order to learn to talk. Undetected hearing loss is one cause of delayed language. All newborns in Ontario hospitals now receive free hearing checks and follow-up, if needed. If you are concerned about your child's hearing, see an audiologist.
Delays in speech development can lead to frustration, and behaviour and emotional problems. If you have any concerns, or want to have your child's speech checked over the phone, call the ...
at 743-1000 www.pcchu.peterborough.on.ca |
Last Revised/Reviewed
Tuesday, 2008-02-12 1:28 PM