Almost any daily activity is a good opportunity to increase language and brain function in babies. These activities give them a head start in life.

Early sounds

You can pay attention to what is catching your baby’s eyes. Focus together and name objects. Talk about them and start language. Name them and repeat the name often. Repetition is important. They are soaking up more than you think. As a toddler the words and phrases will come out and surprise you.

Bright colors like yellow, orange, and red catch babies’ attention usually more than pastels. Perhaps it is a stuffed animal or a little pillow. Chat about it and move it about. Use it to tickle baby’s tummy. If the toy is soft and fluffy maybe your baby may bend the knees, kick, and giggle. Bring it close. Maybe your baby will reach for it. You can use it as a puppet and coo and sing softly. Your baby may start singing back. Use good English grammar and words to tell babies about what they are seeing as their sight develops.

Early sounds are “oo,” “ee,” and “ah.” Baby may start answering back encouraging oral muscle tone of the tongue, cheeks, and lips. Your baby may start to babble at six months and start saying, “mamama.” You can keep talking, singing, and cooing when feeding, changing diapers, walking, rocking, and going for rides, even while you are doing chores near our little one.

Help social skills

Families can help start developing babies’ social skills by introducing the family. Encourage family members to make eye contact as they cuddle. Every family member looks, sounds, and smells different. Each person has a different way of holding, feeding, interacting, playing, and smiling. Babies notice. When all of this is pleasant and fun, babies develop trust.

Babies love faces. You might try drawing a large smiley face with eyes, nose, mouth, and ears or show a book of baby faces. Touch the books’ babies faces and talk about the features. Then touch your baby’s facial parts. Notice how they giggle and kick showing excitement.

Copying actions

Babies often communicate by actions. Families can show they understand by copying actions like smiling and laughing and they may smile back. They are saying,” Thank you You get it. I’m happy.” Copying and repeating actions will help babies to build neuron connections in their brain. It’s always about the brain. Your baby’s brain is growing and changing rapidly just like the rest of the body. All of these tips are a great way to bond. Bath time is a great time to gently touch from head to toes.

For more fun and education see grandparentsteachtoo.blogspot.com; wnmufm.org/Learning Through the Seasons live and podcasts with an archive.