Baby’s first form of communication is crying, which you will notice soon after their birth. In the first few weeks you will be running al over the place and pulling your hair because you may not understand what the baby is shedding tears for. By about 6 weeks, you would have learnt the differences between cries of pain, hunger or tiredness. Your baby will most likely respond to people by smiling and talking. By the age of 3 months, your baby should be cooing. If they hear a familiar voice like their mothers, they will quieten and turn to the sound. When your baby is around 6 months old, they should be chuckling and expressing happiness with tones of exciting noises. Once your baby is hitting the end of his first year, he should be able to say “ma-ma” and even “da-da”. Now they will turn and look with interest at where new sounds are coming from, and should be proficient with responding to their own name.

 

When you need to talk to your baby

Studies have shown that children who have been talked a lot to since their birth begin to talk more fluently quite early in comparison to those who haven’t had anyone talking to them as much. A baby who is talked to a lot will not simply copy the words they hear, but will also invent language and learn to like using it. Your baby will learn about the world by seeing and hearing activities around them and by seeing their own parents as their role models. Try using an exciting voice for play and a soothing voice for settling your baby.

 

How to encourage baby talk between 0 to 6 months

• During your baby’s feed time, talk calmly and softly about what you will do during the day or you can sing your favorite song, especially the one which you sung when baby was in your womb. Try not to talk to your baby when you are putting him to sleep as this may excite him and make it difficult to get him to bed.

• When you are giving your baby a bath or changing his nappy, talk and play or play talking games like “This little piggy went to the market.

• When you’re out of the house like shopping or in the park, talk about what you are buying or the swings and trees you can see.

• You’re baby will learn to make conversation when he responds to what you say and then again stops to listen to what you say another time, and when you respond back he will respond with even happier sounds than before.

• When your baby is crying, help him feel comforted by your voice by talking to him. This way if you are for instance in another room and your baby shows distress when he doesn’t see you around, your voice can re-assure him that you are still there.

 

How to encourage baby talk between 6 to 12 months

• Babies love to hear the different sound they can make, even if they are ear shattering screeches or even deep throat chuckles.

• Try using simple words when you are talking to your baby about everyday activities.

• Read short and simple bedtime stories from picture books – a good idea to use at bedtime.

• Talk to baby as you prepare their meals, tell them what you are doing and what you are making.

• If you leave the room while baby is playing, keep talking to them so that they now you are still around, and if they want they will crawl to you.

• Sing nursery rhymes to baby or even put on a playhouse DVD which is relevant for baby’s age (its good to choose one that works on manners or even counting for older children) once or twice during the day. This is a good way for your baby to learn to talk quickly, especially if your baby is very much interested.

• Talk about different objects, colors and shapes that baby plays with. Try making up short sentences so that baby tries understanding what you say.