Your baby changes and grows so much in this first year. Track your baby’s development month by month, encourage your baby’s learning with our suggested activities . Find practical information on health and safety. We can help you with tips on crying, sleeping or even what to look for when choosing a baby sitter. Have questions about basic care? We have the answers !
How to communicate with your baby
As your baby grows you will both develop more complicated ways of communicating with one another. Here are a few ways that you can keep the lines of communication open.
Now your baby is growing and learning, the ways in which you can communicate with each other are rapidly increasing. All of this makes understanding one another so much easier. Here are a couple of ideas on how you can communicate with your growing baby.
Now your baby is growing and learning, the ways in which you can communicate with each other are rapidly increasing. All of this makes understanding one another so much easier. Here are a couple of ideas on how you can communicate with your growing baby.
- One of the best ways to communicate with your baby is through touch. When you cuddle, hold, kiss and carry your baby you are communicating the very powerful message that "you are loved and you are important.' So don't think you can spoil a baby by cuddling them a lot. It's just not possible! A great way to communicate through touch is by giving your baby a massage.
- As your baby becomes older he becomes even more fascinated with the sound of your voice. Describe what you are doing throughout the day. It can be as simple as telling him what you're having in your sandwich for lunch.
- Researchers has shown that using high-pitched, exaggerated 'babytalk' or 'motherese' with your infant does help your baby begin to understand parts of speech and distinguish between sounds and words.
- Recite rhymes and sing songs to your baby. Language is a very powerful tool for communication. So be creative and use it in a variety of ways.
- Use games such as peek-a-boo with your baby. This communicates the comforting message that you go away but you always come back. For older babies this message is of particular importance as they often go through a stage known as 'separation anxiety.'
- Acknowledge your baby's new found skills such as rolling over from one side to the other or learning to sit up by responding with enthusiasm. This communicates a strong message to your baby that you are proud of him and that what he does matters a great deal.
- Older babies(5 1/2 months+) can understand a lot of words - even though they can't yet say them. You'll know which words your baby can understand by naming an object and observing to see if your baby looks at it. Identifying these known objects can go along way in enhancing your communication with your baby.
- By 8 months or so you can start giving your baby simple requests such as 'wave bye bye.' He may or may not do this straight away- but he will soon get it. So, role model these little gestures of communication and he'll eventually learn them.
- Use simple books to communicate with your baby. Point to the pictures and name the objects. Pretty soon he'll point to the objects when you ask simple questions such as, 'point to the ball.' For more on reading to your baby see our tips - When can I read to my baby? and Why read to your baby?
- If your baby is more irritable than normal, doesn't want to eat as much, or is more tired then usual he may be letting your know that he is feeling unwell. Communicate your understanding of this by verbalizing how you think your baby feels - For example - "It doesn't feel good when you have a runny nose does it?" You can also communicate your understanding by giving extra cuddles and attention.
Previous: How your baby communicates with you
Related Tips
- Baby talk
- As your baby begins to make purposeful sounds, questions may come to mind. When does my baby begin to learn language?
- more
- Games for babies
- Babies learn through play - but what kinds of games will help your baby to grow and develop?
- more
- Why read to your baby
- A child can learn and benefit greatly from being read to right from the day they are born.
- more
- Music and your baby
- Music is a wonderful activity to share with your baby. We all enjoy music, so here are some ways to include it in your daily life.
- more
Comments
Yvette Odell
Don't forget to sing to your baby! Music (especially mamma singing to baby) calms and engages baby. You'll notice how a baby will want to look at your face when you sing; baby studies your mouth, your tongue, lips, jaw and neck. Often they will coo or babble or even fuss along on a pitch that matches a pitch you are singing. These are language development skills that are hardwired into their brains!
Search:
