| When you are expecting a baby, you no doubt | | | | voice, and will help him to learn and recognise words. |
| envision those big milestones in your baby's | | | | Experts say that a baby will be able to understand the |
| development - the first attempts at crawling, the first | | | | language a good while before they'll be able to speak. |
| steps, the first time your child calls you "mama". Those | | | | Similarly, reading stories and singing songs can be |
| milestones may still seem very far away, but a baby | | | | helpful. The more you communicate with your child, the |
| does learn a lot during the first year. | | | | sooner he'll learn to understand you. Songs are great |
| Communication is one of the areas in which your child | | | | for this, as they tend to contain a lot of repetition, |
| will progress in leaps and bounds. This is a good thing, | | | | which babies are sensitive to. |
| because a crying baby can unnerve even the calmest | | | | Listen to your baby and acknowledge his ways of |
| person. They can't tell you what is wrong, so the | | | | communicating with you. Look at him when he is |
| diaper has to be checked, they might be hungry, or | | | | cooing and making up his own words. You can also |
| something else might be wrong. It's far more reassuring | | | | respond in your own way, and have conversations in |
| when your child can let you know what they need in a | | | | this manner. |
| simpler manner. | | | | When your baby turns away from you and stops |
| Apart from practical considerations, it is a joy to teach | | | | communicating, do give him some space and don't |
| a baby to talk. It's fun to help them identify the amazing | | | | force him. We all need a break from time to time! |
| world around them, and to be able to, step by little | | | | When your child is curious about objects around him, |
| step, converse with them. | | | | point them out and name them. Repeat this as many |
| There are ways in which you can help your baby | | | | times as he seems interested in this "game". Again, the |
| develop their language skills. Of course, each baby is | | | | repetition will be helpful and will assist your baby in |
| different and each baby's development is different. | | | | naming what is around him. |
| This is nothing to worry about. They'll manage just fine | | | | Don't forget to point out yourself and other family |
| in their own way. | | | | members. The first time your baby addresses you as |
| It is always helpful to talk with your baby. This allows | | | | his mother is an amazing, heart-warming experience. |
| your child to become familiar with the sound of your | | | | |