Do you feel silly talking to babies? Does talking encourage language development or is it an exercise in futility? Do babies really process and learn from what you say? Research shows that frequent verbal communication with babies is essential to their language and cognitive development. Essentials for Child Development Associates Working with Young Children has some tips that enable caregivers to use spoken language with babies more effectively.

• “Talk to babies as you approach. Tell babies what you are about to do. Tell babies what you are doing. ‘Here I come. It’s time for a clean diaper now. Here’s the fresh diaper, just for you. . . .’ Pick babies up. Carry on a conversation with babies in their home language while you hold them to feed them.”
• “Give babies time to play. Comment on what they are doing. ‘Look! You’ve found your hands. Dos manos! Your two hands can do so many things. They can . . .’ Use the child’s home language.”
• “Talk with babies as they explore their bodies. Place an unbreakable mirror at babies’ eye level. Talk about what they see.”
• “Pay attention to what babies tell you and follow through to continue the pleasure or get rid of the discomfort (change the diaper, feed the baby).”
• “Always say goodbye when you leave a child and make sure parents say goodbye when they leave. This builds trust. Gently explain why the person left, that they will return, and that you understand. Then move on to a new, interesting activity.”
• “Talk with babies about their feelings. Notice how each baby expresses feelings just a little differently.”

(Tips are from Essentials for Child Development Associates Working with Young Children, 2nd Edition, pages 39-46)

Many online articles advocate talking to babies -- click here for more

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