Babbling Babies

Activities to build babies’ language development Learning to In the first eight months of Building up Learning to talk relies on developing skills in key areas: talk – is it for a baby’s life, the number of Baby’s 1. Playing and interacting babies? connections made in the brain development Through play and interaction, babies learn about the world around them. They learn how people interact with each multiply dramatically. Interaction other and develop social skills for later in life (like how to (talking, smiling, cuddling) share toys and take turns). helps build these connections, 2. Learning to listen developing skills for later in life. Learning which sounds are important for talking is a vital skill: Babies and toddlers need to learn how to listen. This involves learning to tune in to everyday sounds, like Learning to talk is the number one life skill for the dogs barking; doorbells; aeroplanes; rain on the window… 21st century. Communication is vital for making friends, Next, they can tune in to speech sounds and talk. letting people know how you feel and keeping safe. Later, it helps in learning, knowing how to behave and 3. Learning and understanding new words getting on in school. Everything a baby does is an opportunity for them to New babies are keen to communicate: They can let you learn new words. There is no need to “teach” a baby know they are hungry, uncomfortable or tired. Responding new words – they learn best from hearing words in real to them teaches the skills they need to turn their cries everyday situations and during play. The activities in into words then sentences over the next two years. this group help develop this kind of learning. You can help Baby to babble, become a chatty baby and then a talkative toddler. Doing this builds on early 4. Expressing myself brain connections, giving them the best start to life. As babies grow (and through the experiences of playing and interacting with others), they learn new ways of Baby needs you! communicating. These move from cries to include small Babies need to hear familiar adults talking to them changes in facial expression, small movements or body regularly throughout the day from birth – this is how language. It is important that small changes are noticed they learn about communication and how they learn and always get a response. to communicate themselves. 5. Exploring and developing Babies also need the space and time to deal with sounds and to learn what they mean. The best toy for a baby is Babies rely on adults to provide new and interesting a responsive adult to interact with. Pulling faces at each experiences for them. These don’t need to be new toys other, chatting during nappy changing and responding to or new places. Even small changes to the environment Baby’s gurgles are all great ways to help babies learn the can provide a lot of interest for babies. later skills of talking. Here is a range of activities to do with babies. Using this pack The activities build strong foundations for speech, Top tips for language and communication development. your activities You can do these activities wherever you are, at home, in a setting, or out and about. Each activity has ideas for babies from birth to 6 months, 6 – 12 months and 12 – 18 months. 1. All these activities 3. Remember, developing 4. Try activities when have been sorted into communication skills Baby is in a playful Pick an activity to do each day, or whenever you can. Baby will let you know which they enjoy best and how groups, most of them is something to think mood. long they are interested for. will develop skills in about throughout other key areas too. Baby’s day. Routine 5. These activities are Remember that babies have short attention spans – activities like bathing, best done with one five or ten minutes may be all they can do. Follow their nappy changing, child at a time, so lead and notice when they want more or have had enough. feeding (including you can focus on If you are a parent... breast / bottle feeding) Baby. They can be 2. Put half an hour aside: and going outside done with more – The time that you spend on these activities with your Give yourself time to get are perfect times to take special care to baby is likely to help you to develop a closer bond. ready, play with Baby talk to your baby and watch and respond Your baby will smile in the activities that they enjoy and have time to carry see them developing to each child. and you soon learn what they like best. This changes on longer if Baby shows speech, language and at different times, so keep trying new activities. that they want to. communication skills. If you are a practitioner... The activities can be used as a structured 6 week programme with a short activity for each day. After the six weeks, you will have learnt many skills and new ideas which you can continue to use with babies. You can also use the activities on their own, giving you new games to play.

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Be quiet In a quiet room, turn off the TV and radio. x and baskets Treasure Dry messy play Boxes messy play Wet Exploring my environment leader my Follow E Make the most Shut the door to block any background noises – babies develo of your time can’t easily block noise out, so they need a quiet place together to focus on the sounds they hear.

Be face-to-face If Baby isn’t sitting up yet, lie them on a cushion on your lap, so that they can see you. If they are moving, stay with them. Being face to face means that

Baby can see you and your facial expressions. Also, that ressing you can see them and their responses to the games. p x myself Bubbles Copy cats Ready go! steady Keep a record marks Making a story tell I can E Don’t rush – take plenty of time Babies take longer than adults to think about what they hear – sometimes up to 12 seconds. They need plenty of time to respond to you.

Be watchful Watch Baby carefully – see how they respond. They might communicate with sounds or even words. Mostly they will use facial expressions and body language. Always respond to any attempt Baby makes earning and understanding new words Cooking box tap Tap Make a book/story box everyday of My things Surprise bag! booksSharing and stories to communicate. L

Be patient Baby might show you that they are tired or have lost interest. Don’t worry, and don’t try to get their attention back. Just stop and try again another time.

Be prepared for anything Babies need flexibility. Don’t worry about changing your plan – follow the baby’s lead and change the course of the game to suit them. earning to listen is around usNoise all instrumentsMusical music Making rhymes and Singing Exploring noise a... be I can L Use the language you would naturally use at home It is important that you speak naturally to young children, this will help.

If Baby uses a dummy Keep it to sleeptimes. A dummy

will get in the way of attempts to talk during these, and

other activities.

Be happy Enjoy this special time together. Have fun learning Playing and interacting Peek-a-boo! Building play Gentle, physical Hiding Tickling turns Taking

about each other – smile and watch Baby smile back! week 1 week 2 week 3 week 4 week 5 week 6 week Suggested 6 week plan for practitioners for plan 6 week Suggested Make up your own timetable of activities and choose activities as you wish. You may want to repeat the same activity 3 or 4 times or try something new every day.

Playing Learning to Learning and Expressing Exploring and listen understanding myself and interacting new words developing week 1 week 2 week 3 week 4 week 5 week 6