Engage in Conversation with an Infant

It is important to talk to your child during the first months of life. Even though they will not be able to respond to you in a conversation, this is a critical development period in their life. They are taking in the environment around them and constantly learning. Talking to your child in slow sentences, demonstrating patience, labeling objects/actions, and emphasizing important words will help catch your child's attention. Even if you think you sound silly interacting with your baby, it is important to share a joint attention allowing them to begin to interact with the world around them.  

Listen and Sing to Music

Music is a great way to interact with your child. Allowing children to sing and participate in a vocal play, they are able to explore more with sounds and intonation of their voice. Even though they may not say actual words, they are learning to shape their sounds in various ways. Music is also just another way to expose your child to more language during important developmental periods. 

Read, Read, Read!

Reading to your child is an important activity to participate in. Even simply pointing to pictures and identifying items on the page exposes the children to more language and starts to introduce a shared attention between the two of you in an activity. 

Games and Playdates

Playing games and setting up play dates helps to teach your child social cues. Games allow for opportunities to demonstrate turn taking, eye contact, joint attention, and conversational interaction. Setting up play dates allows your child opportunities to interact with their peers and other children their own age.