One of the most exciting milestones for parents is their baby talking. The joy of hearing your little one babble, say simple words, and then eventually speak in sentences is exhilarating for the entire family.
So just when will your baby say their first words?
Most babies begin to talk between 12 and 18 months, but their language development starts at birth. Read on to learn how you can help baby talk as soon as they're ready.
1. Make eye contact
You can't stop looking at your precious baby (especially because if you turn away they might find something new to eat). But do you make frequent eye contact with them?
Eye contact helps your baby engage with you on a visual level, which helps them tune into the sounds you make. Nonverbal cues are key to the development of the baby's left hemisphere, which is the part of the brain responsible for language.
When you gaze into your baby's eyes, their brain's neurons fire up and mirror your own. This kind of mirroring can help babies articulate what they want as early as six months old. Though your little one won't be able to speak yet, they can use a blend of sounds and gestures to communicate what they want.
2. Engage In simple word repetition
Do you find yourself repeating words and sound patterns while talking to your baby?
If so, you're on the right track! Like non-visual cues, catchy, simple word repetition stimulates those baby brain neurons.
Try to label everyday things for your baby using a combination of words, gestures, and sounds. Get into the habit of repeating words three times as they relate to an activity you're doing.
For instance, during bath time, say splash splash splash while gently splashing the water with your hand. This way, your baby will make those all-important word associations in no time.
3. Read to your baby
Do you make reading part of your little's bedtime routine?
Studies show that reading to babies as young as six months old helps them build an extensive vocabulary. It also develops strong literacy skills down the line.
Simple, colorful board books are the ideal literature for babies. (Think Good Night Moon or any of your favorite classic nursery rhyme compilations.) That said, you can even sit down with your favorite novel or today's newspaper and read to your baby — even to storytime with a virtual class! The little one won't understand the content of a riveting best seller, but if you read it out loud in a child-friendly tone, that counts, too!
4. Verbalize everything
Do you have conversations with your baby? We sure do...
Sure, they can't talk back, so it might seem silly to talk to a baby as if they will. But really, when you verbalize as much as you can while spending time with your bundle of joy, you're setting them up for early speech.
You can talk about anything to your little one. Talk about the cars that pass by your house. Talk about the pretty plants you see on your daily stroll. Talk about how much your entire family loves and cherishes the little one as you do fun crafts with your older kids. It turns out babies are great listeners.
Eventually, all that talking will prompt your baby to babble back! This is especially true if you include your little one in the conversation as much as possible by saying their name and asking questions. While they won't answer verbally, your intonation will help them engage.
5. Get fluent in “parentese”
Speaking of intonation, do you follow your parental instincts when talking to your little one? Do you speak Parentese?
This parent-to-baby form of communication comes naturally to moms and dads. It is sometimes referred to as baby talk. So-called Parentese is when you speak to your baby using bright, cheerful tones and varying pitches. A recent study shows that this type of speech boosts baby's language development significantly.
6. Avoid babbling baby talk
That said, there is a form of baby talk that can actually slow down your child's language development. Most parents look at their babies and they can't resist saying cutesie nonsense in the moment (we’re guilty of this). This babbling baby talk is an expression of love — you just can't get over how precious your little one is, and you can't think of any better way to let them know.
No matter how strong the urge, try to resist babbling on your baby's level. Your child needs you to speak in actual words using correct grammar as much as possible. This helps them learn to process your spoken language and program it into their tiny yet mighty brain.
7. Tell your baby what you want to hear
Does your baby point to what they want?
Though communicating with your little one using gestures is great, don't rely on finger-pointing alone. Show your baby how to articulate their needs verbally as well.
For instance, if they point to their sippy cup, you can say, "Do you want your sippy? Can you say sippy cup?" This way, your baby can learn how to label their wants and needs. Pairing gestures or baby sign language with this kind of verbal reinforcement is a surefire way to help your little one learn to speak.
8. Pair words with music
How often do you sing along to your favorite toddler tunes?
If you find yourself singing the ABC's a dozen times a day, rest assured it's for the good of your baby's speech development. Some new research shows that listening to music has a direct positive impact on boosting baby's language skills. More specifically, songs with simple lyrics or any words put to music can help a baby learn about sound formation and sentence structure.
So in short, keep singing about the itsy bitsy spider. Also, speak to your baby in a sing-song tone. Make up songs about everything from bathtime to naptime, and watch with amazement as your little one picks up on every syllable.
More bonding, less babble, equals baby talk!
Of course, you're eager to hear your baby say those precious first words. Rest assured, they will come sooner than you expect when you engage with your baby through spoken word and song. Keep eye contact and keep making memories, and before long you'll have a fluent talker on your hands.
What is your favorite strategy for making your baby talk sooner? Share with us at @hellosawyer. In the meantime, check out some of our resources to help you and your little one learn and grow. From free virtual classes for children to finding activities near you, we're offering all the info you need to parent your way.
