"I guess I'm kind of silly," the mother of a six-week-old said. "I
know she can't understand a word I say, but I can't help talking to
her anyway." It's true that very young babies don't understand
words, but that doesn't mean it's silly to talk to them. Way before
they know what you're saying, babies are fascinated by the sound of
your voice. Here are 3 simple ways you can start the foundation for
good communication skills:
1. Go Ahead-start talking!
Chatting to your newborn teaches what is really important about
social communication. It shows that what counts more than the
actual words is the message: I love you. You are important to
me.
Research has shown that newborns are more sensitive to
higher-pitched voices-perhaps because the baby has heard the
mother's voice for months already while growing in the womb. In any
case, talking to your baby will help the baby learn to associate
your voice with your face. It also establishes the basis for later
language development.
So go ahead. Tell your baby about the weather, the book you are
reading what you're having for lunch, the names of toys or
whatever. You'll be laying the foundation for good communication
skills. And you can never begin too early on that!
2. Listen and Respond
By the time babies are a month or two old, they often begin to make
some sounds of their own. These won't be the cooing and babbling of
later babyhood, but they won't be just crying either. A baby may
say "ah" or "eh" or just make noises with the tongue. As primitive
as these noises are, they are the first steps toward language.
Adults can respond by imitating these little noises. The newborn
occasionally repeats the sound, and before you know it, you have a
little "conversation" going! This is a fascinating game for your
baby, one that will encourage communication with you.
When babies get too tired, too hungry or too restless to socialize
any longer, they "say" so by crying or tuning out efforts to engage
them. Be sensitive to such signals, and you'll soon learn your
baby's own personal style.
3. Anytime Is the Right Time
If you feel you have to reserve talking and playing for "special
times," you may be missing lots of chances to communicate with your
baby. The best time for a chat is when babies are awake and alert,
and that's usually when they're being bathed, changed or dressed.
These are not just chores to get out of the way; they're perfect
occasions for socializing.
As your baby lies there looking up at you, you can talk softly,
tickle baby's tummy very gently or just lean over and coo. Some
parents keep colourful toys nearby to show to their babies as they
change or dress them.
The information is provided by KK Hospital - Singapore's
leading Women and Children's Hospital. Please visit www.kkh.com.sg
for more information.