Parents are often eager to get their babies talking at an early age. While the wait may seem long until baby says his or her first word, babies begin language development from the moment of birth through observation. Learn how to help your baby’s language development progress at the right pace with the following tips from SPRING Learning Centre Hong Kong.
Zero to six months
Babies this young learn from observation. They listen to parents’ voices and try to imitate sounds with cooing and gurgling. Encourage this behavior by talking to your baby, continuing conversations when baby is near, and giving baby distraction-free sound making time. Singing to your baby will also help this process by showing how nice and pretty sounds can be. Hold baby close, maintain eye contact, and smile to show warmth and affection. When baby babbles, imitate the sounds to offer encouragement. If baby tries to say a word you do, say the word again. Don’t get frustrated if it doesn’t happen today.
Six to twelve months
Baby will start playing with sounds. Some sounds may even sound like “dada”, “baba” or “mama”. Simple words will be understood. Baby will stop and look if you say “no”. Baby will also start communicating through body language like pointing and will continue to make sounds. Help your baby begin to understand more words by playing games like Peek-a-Boo or Pat-a-Cake, describing favorite toys (like a fuzzy bear), and identifying people and pets with pointing while reciting names.
Twelve to fifteen months
Babies will start to switch from sounds to words, like “baba” for bottle. Other words are understood, but not said. Test your baby’s learning by asking for certain toys, cups, and other household items. Encourage vocabulary development by continuing to identify common objects and give baby time to listen and repeat.
18 months to two years
Baby will start following directions and put words together like “want juice.” Maintain progress by asking your child to help you by placing specific objects in specific places. Teach simple songs and nursery rhymes and encourage pretend play for fun language development.
Two to three years
Language will develop the quickest here. Sentences will start to be formed, questions can now be answered, vocabulary grows at a huge pace. Keep encouraging your child by teaching first and last names, describing objects around you, asking open-ended questions, continuing pretend play, and practicing active reading.
Get your baby talking by encouraging sound making and imitation at an early age. For more advice, tips, and more, visit SPRING online. Parents and carers are invited to come check out SPRING and say hello to the team. Discovery Classes are available to see what SPRING has to offer first-hand. Course descriptions are available for each programme.
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