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How to Help Your Baby's Language Development
by Amy Bambinettio
http://www.ababys.com

Some children start talking and speaking words before
a year of age; others do not speak until age three
or later. Granted, intellect and ability are unique from
child-to-child, but you can act to maximize your
baby's potential by consciously helping them improve
their language awareness and receptivity.

The first thing to do is talk to your baby often. Many
expectant parents chat with or sing to the little one
before he is born. Following birth, it is important to use
language and voice to help cement a relational bond with
your child. He will soon recognize your voice and begin to
look for you when you talk, sing, or hum on a regular basis.

Another step in the process of teaching your child about
language is repetition. Keep the words simple and short and
repeat them frequently so your baby gets used to their
sounds and meanings. Soon her eyes will light up with
recognition and you will see her trying to mouth the sounds
that you speak. Keep language time happy and light so your
child will enjoy this special bonding time with you.

Read stories to your baby. Articulate the text of the
story slowly, distinctly, and with varied voice inflection
to reflect story elements (i.e. characters, moods,
dialogues) and to hold his interest. Hold him or sit
close to him as you read to also sustain his attention.
Before long, he will memorize words, then pages, and then
the entire book and begin narrating it independently.

Use interesting music to engage your baby's attention.
Music can both soothe and stimulate. Use sedate, melodic
music to calm your child; use lively, rhythmic music to
encourage movement, encourage a good mood, or as a
motivator for picking up toys and other belongings. Videos
and CD's of popular children's songs can be purchased in
the recording section of many discount and department
stores. Friends with children who are slightly older than
your own are very likely a good source for recommending
such recordings.

As your baby grows into toddlerhood, teach her to repeat
nursery rhymes until, over time, she has mastered them.
Play word games with her that encourage her to think of
words beginning with different letters of the alphabet.
Look at language skills books at the library or your local
bookstore to come up with additional activities to
encourage powerful speech development.

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