Everyday routines, such as mealtimes, offer many opportunities to use Comfort, Play & Teach: A Positive Approach to Parenting. As you prepare a meal, eat or clean up in the kitchen, there are several simple things you can do to encourage your child's language development.
Babies are naturally drawn to rhythms and melodies, so singing is a powerful way to expose your child to the many words and sounds of his language. This will also help him feel comforted and secure by showing him that you are there for him even when you are busy cooking. It doesn't matter if you are out of tune or don't like your singing voice – research shows that a baby prefers his mother's voice above all others, so remember that to your baby, you have the most beautiful voice in the world!
Talking to your infant
If your baby is alert and awake, include him in conversation at the table by sitting him in his high chair next to you. You can play a game that consists of copying his sounds and actions. When he gurgles, coos, gestures, babbles or smiles, respond in kind. This back-and-forth exchange allows you to demonstrate how we take turns when we talk. This basic "conversation" will set the stage for the more complex communication skills that will develop in years to come.
Sometime around her first birthday, your baby will say her first word – but she is capable of understanding many words, and even some basic grammar, long before this unforgettable moment. This means that it's never too early to start teaching your child language.
You can do this by describing your actions while you prepare your baby's food or by naming the items she is eating, such as "peas" or "banana." Hearing you talk will help your baby become familiar with the sounds, structures and intonations of her language. As time goes by, she will learn to recognize more and more of the words you use, gradually begin to associate them with particular routines and eventually understand their meanings.
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