A baby’s primary means of communication is crying. This continues for a few months as they start to pick up words. Crying is ways of letting their parents know they need something. The inability to speak in the early months does not actually hinder the baby’s ability to become a talker as they use this time to learn how to control their mouth and tongue.

Soon they start responding to the sound of your voice by smiling or getting excited and moving their arms and legs. Once they start to find their ability to vocalize you will soon have a cooing and gurgling machine!! Your baby will start to talk to you making vowel sounds like “ah-ah” or “oh-oh”. They love to hear your voice, so respond enthusiastically by talking, coo-ing, singing and even using babble- speak to baby.

As they start to pick up babble and then words, always encourage them by telling them how clever they are when they get a word and watch that smile!!
Another way of talking and helping communication is by reading simple picture books to them and by describing each picture; you will be increasing their understanding of words

Some more tips with talking are:

Use a higher pitched way of talking – ‘baby talk’. This is practised all over the world and grabs baby’s attention- you’ll find you probably do it automatically anyway.

Use loving kind and positive words as babies can pick up on the tone of your voice. Talking quietly and face- to- face to your baby cuts out any distractions.

Describe everything you are doing such as “I am pushing your pram” and describe what you see baby doing such as “you’re waving your arms” they soon pick up this “small talk”.

Use their name when pointing out objects-“that’s your (babies’ name) teddy,” “this is your cup” this will help them to both recognise their name and also objects. Also they start to get an understanding on ownership.

Enjoy conversations together – speak directly to baby this is important for speech to develop- give lot of praise for each new achievement – even if your baby doesn’t quite understand the words.

Babies love you to do songs and rhymes, especially as they get to hear the sound of your voice and the rhymes are a great way to help your child’s talking and listening skills.

Play is the main way that babies and toddlers learn about the world; with your help it is also a wonderful way to support their language development.

Language can develop smoothly and continuously, or in jumps and spurts. It is important not to compare your child’s language development to other children’s language development, because the development of speech varies.

By spending a little time each day indulging your baby with your undivided attention you’ll not only develop a stronger bond with your baby but also be helping them to develop important skills that will set them up for the rest of their life.

Advice