Keep your family safe from germs and bacteria
How to communicate with your baby
The early days are so important. Make time to talk to your baby now and they will reap the benefits later in life
Between birth and the age of two, your baby is experiencing most of its brain development. As your little one babbles and smiles, he or she is on the road to developing their first conversation and language skills. It is also a time where communicating with your child can help build security and self-esteem.
Eye contact
One of the first connections made between baby and you is through eye contact. 'Say "hello" from day one and get to know each other, even from just a few minutes old,' says Liz Attenborough, Manager of Talk to Your Baby, the campaign run by the National Literacy Trust.
'Babies are born sociable and they need someone to socialise with. Hold them fairly close and they will seek out your eyes. The baby will recognise your voice from the start, so just talking provides reassurance and comfort.'
Baby talk
Talking to your baby from the day he or she is born will not only strengthen your bond, it will also help them to develop conservation and language skills, teaching them how to talk and listen.
Never be stuck for things to say to your child. Talk them through what you are doing as you bath or feed them. According to the Literary Trust, verbal communication is crucial for the following reasons:
- Talking helps your child learn to talk. From listening to your voice your baby will pick up words and learn to talk.
- Talking stimulates your baby's brain, making them more susceptible to learning.
- Your child will learn important language skills that form the foundation for later reading and writing.
- Social skills and good relationships are developed through talking.
- Talking shows love and respect. While increasing your bond with them, it enhances your child's self-confidence. 'Children who are able to understand others and express their thoughts and feelings are more likely to have good relationships with other people and strong self-esteem,' explains Liz Attenborough.
1 | 2 | next
printer friendly
send to a friend
Delicious
Digg
reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon
Horoscopes| Message Boards | Quizzes | Newsletters | Join
iVillage Ltd is a UK company registered in England & Wales (3837269) at 80-110 New Oxford Street, London WC1 1HB
