How to Talk to Babies

It is recommended to mothers:
 

-   To prohibit only what really must be prohibited;

-   When saying “no”, use only anxious expression and intonation;

-   Think out this problem seriously and find a solution. Obviously, for different child-mother pairs there will be different optimal solutions.

What mothers should not do when talking to the child? Here are some advices:

-   Repeat (imitate) the child’s sounds and actions and add something new to them;

-   Actively use gestures;

-   Understand what the baby tries to tell you, i.e. tell him what he would say if he could speak;

-   Point to the objects you are telling about to your baby;

-   Say the names of people and objects that your baby is interested in;
-   Tell him in simple phrases what is happening now;

-   Emphasize on the keywords ;

-   Repeat the same thing several times. 

Why is this behavior beneficial? Here are some explanations.

Using facial expressions and gestures, while saying something you want your baby to:

-   Understand what you are saying; 

-   Learn to express his wishes before he starts speaking. 

When imitating your baby’s actions or talk and adding a related new word or an action, you provide that your baby:

-   Receives new information just when he is interested in it.

Emphatically pronouncing sounds or keywords, you achieve that your baby:

-   Pays attention to the new sounds or words and links them to what is happening.

You may know the game Talk Game. The essence of the game is that you and the baby do something imitating each other. For example, you poke out your tongue and look at your baby. In respond you baby does the same. The Talk Game is very useful in child development. It strengthens mutual affection of baby and his mother and helps the child to start speaking.

How to play this game:

-   Smile and talk to your child when you are holding him in your hands or touching;

-   Say the sounds similar to those you have heard from your baby, those that your baby can already say; 
-   Saying a sound, look at your baby friendly and inviting him to answer;

-   Wait a bit, your it may take a little time for your baby to answer;

-   If the baby didn’t answer but is still looking at you, repeat the sound once again;

-   If your baby answered, smile to him and stroke his head;

-   Wait for an answer;

-   If your baby turned away, stop the game.

Say using simple gestures and facial expressions. You can:

-   Draw out your lips in a tube;

-   Poke out the tongue.

These actions can be imitated by even the newborns.
American and European babies love this game. Sometimes they are playing it for 15-20 minutes. 

One more great way to talk to babies is Parentese Language.