Photo: G. J. Charlet III / Flickr

When it comes to speaking, all babies are unique and will each learn at their own pace. Although you cannot force your baby to speak, there are things you can do to speed up the process. Hearing your child trying to express themselves by cooing and gurgling shows that they are well on their way to learning a word or two and you should encourage them as part of your bonding experience.

The importance of reading

It is important to read to your baby and you should do this as early as possible. Some parents even read to their babies while still in the womb. Whether it is a children’s story, the newspaper or even the telephone directory, your baby will enjoy listening to the sounds and rhythm in your voice. If you are looking for specific books that your baby can enjoy, get ones with photos which will interest your little one. Books using poetic language which is varied and rich will also draw their attention.

Converse with your child

Although most parents instinctively talk to their babies, if you are one of those who do not, making an effort will help them learn language skills a bit earlier than what they would have. Tell your baby what you are doing, converse with them and explain what they may be doing. Use your hands and eyes to grab their attention and vary the tone of your voice. Your child will respond by trying to communicate back to you or you will find them listening intently to the sounds you are forming.

When your child is trying to make a sound, cheer and clap for them. You should also make a fuss when they form real words. Babies thrive on attention and if you respond to their behaviour, they will keep trying to please you. Try not to push your child into saying certain words. Asking them repeatedly to ‘say Mama’ will only make them bored and tune out eventually.

Tags: children, Parenting, teaching