Supporting babies’ early communication skills
Tips for families with babies aged 6 – 18 months
How can I help my baby learn to communicate?
Babies can communicate before they learn to talk. Your baby is probably already communicating with you using their eyes, doing actions, making sounds, or by showing you things.
You are the most important person in helping your baby learn to communicate. Here are some simple things you can do every day with your baby.
Copy the sounds and actions your baby makes.
If your baby says “ga”, you say “ga” back.
If your baby claps, you clap too.
This helps your baby learn how to take turns, like we do in a conversation.
Take time to pause and wait when playing and chatting with your baby.
This gives them time to think before they respond.
Stay face-to-face and smile to show you’re listening.
Babies need to hear words lots of times to learn them.
Keep your sentences short and repeat the important words.
For example: “Shoes. Your shoes. Red shoes. Bye-bye shoes!”
Use an excited voice to help catch your baby’s attention. Then pause to give them a chance to respond.
Watch what your baby is looking at or doing, and talk about that.
This helps your baby learn new words.
Let your baby choose between two things. This helps them learn to communicate what they want.
For example, “Teddy or ball?” / “Apple or banana?”
Your baby might look, point or reach to make a choice.
Respond to however your baby communicates and say the word again.
For example, “Ball! You want the ball.”
When should I do this?
Any time! Babies are developing their communication skills all the time. You don’t need anything special – just you, your baby, and your time together. Try using these tips during your everyday routines with your baby.
Here are some examples:
