Nothing is sweeter and more memorable than your baby’s first words. Towards the end of the first year, as squeals, squeaks, and coos magically transform into recognizable language, your baby decisively separates from the greater animal kingdom. Helping and watching your children begin to communicate and master spoken language is a delightful responsibility and fascinating adventure.
Bonding
The basis of communication, the wonderful dance of give and take, reflecting one’s character, and allowing expression, begins with “bonding.” In fact, this warm and enjoyable interaction (and the seeds of language development) begins in the womb, as Mom’s soothing voice initiates the connection between her and baby. The rhythm of her (and other family members) speech is recognized by the growing infant.
Nonverbal communications, such as touching, eye contact, and facial expression, also foster this critical newborn experience. Not only does your baby begin to learn language by hearing people make sounds, he watches “turn-taking” in communication. One of baby’s first tools is crying, and as you will soon discover, there are many types and subtleties of this “first language.” Although a screaming baby can be irritating and exhausting, being understanding and responsive is important—you will soon figure out the difference between your baby’s “I’m tired and I’m trying to find a comfortable sleep position” drone versus the “I’m incredibly hungry!” holler.
Baby talk
Although not 100 percent universal, most cultures utilize “baby talk,” or infant-directed speech. It catches an infant’s attention, is an important part of the early emotional bonding process, and plays a role in teaching the basic structure and function of language and communication.
How tos
Speak to your baby in short, simple sentences using gentle, high pitched, exaggerated intonation and ranges. Be clear in your pronunciation and dramatic in your facial and other body language. Nonverbal techniques (i.e. baby sign language) such as showing your outstretched arms as “big” and later “hands up” when dressing, are engaging and fun! Research has shown that, as compared to adult speech patterns, exposure to this infant-directed model results in earlier identification of words and language acquisition. The absence of this colorful dance may partially explain why many adults struggle to learn a second language from monotone tapes or teachers.
“Pretend conversations” are, in fact, quite real, and interpersonal and instructive for your curious baby. Replying to babble with meaningless babble (although it may feel a bit silly, at first... it did for me) is helpful, teaching infants that communication and speech are bidirectional and filled with emotions. If you listen closely, you’ll notice her raising and dropping her voice, as if asking a question or making a statement—just as you do! Encourage her by reinforcing recognizable sounds. For example, if you hear a “bah,” introduce (and show her one) “bottle,” “box,” or use the opportunity to sing “baa, baa black sheep…”
When and how should you integrate adult language? Towards three to four months, begin to progressively mix your conversations with it, phasing out most of the baby talk by the end of the first year.
Multiple language households
Early exposure to multiple languages is said to be “good for the brain.” One noted multilingual, Albert Einstein, didn’t start speaking until the age of three (and yes, his parents did see a doctor about it). Commonly, additional languages do temporarily delay language development—for as much as two years! It is suggested that, during baby’s early years, family and other caretakers be consistent with respect to which language they use.
TV policy
Although babysitters are expensive, your TV should never be a replacement! Children require interactive play to foster cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being. The American Academy of Pediatrics says NO to television (and for that matter, any “screen” activity) for children age two or younger. For those older, monitoring with a max of one-to-two hours per day is advised, with a preference for educational productions. Since watching TV can become habit-forming (with evidence linking it to later problems such as obesity, violence, drug, tobacco, and alcohol abuse), a few healthy alternatives include:
