Magic moments

• Be close to your baby so that your eyes are level with hers. You may be holding her or having a ‘conversation’ as you change her.
• Keep what you say simple and brief. Talk a bit more slowly than normal.
• Then pause, look expectant and your baby will ‘reply’ with sounds, grins and enthusiastic arm waving.
• You have the beginnings of a conversation. Soon your baby will ‘say’ something in sounds and gestures and then look at you to indicate, ‘Your turn now’.
• Good communication with alert babies has a cyclical, repetitive quality. As the conversation goes on, you say something similar but not exactly the same. React as if your baby really has ‘said’ something, because in her way she has.
• Listen and pay attention to what your baby ‘says’. Sometimes follow your baby’s lead; he will love it if you copy his sounds or facial expression.

Babies become increasingly adept at producing a range of sounds and stringing them together in a tuneful way. By the end of this first year, they are very expressive supporting their sounds with looks and pointing that tell you clearly to join in.

• Talk simply about what you are both doing at the time. Sometimes it will be a book with eye-catching illustrations or toys that your baby holds, shakes and drops on the ground. Other times it will be what you can both see through the window or spot on a local trip. The trick is to focus on what interests your baby right now.
• You can talk about what your baby seems to be feeling. It may be, ‘You look very happy. What’s made you so pleased then?’ or ‘I know you’re cross. You don’t want your nappy changed, do you? I’m sorry, we have to do it. Yes we do.’ Your words are punctuated with looks, smiles and touch.