Talk with your child and teach through play

Talk with your baby or young child

• Your baby or young child uses eye contact, “cooing” and other sounds, facial expressions, and movements to tell you what he or she needs and wants, from the day he or she is born.
• Follow your baby’s signals or cues to understand his or her needs.
• Babies begin to understand words before they can speak. Talk and sing to your baby or young child often so that he or she can hear words. Your baby will learn to talk by listening to you.
• Have a conversation with sounds, words and gestures. When your baby or young child communicates with you using sounds or movements, respond to these cues and he or she will respond back. You can help your baby and young child learn new words by expanding on his or her language. If a baby or young child says one word, such as “papa,” build on this language by adding more words, such as “Papa loves you!”

Playing with your baby or young child

• Babies and young children learn by playing, observing, copying and trying new things, starting from the moment they are born. Your baby or young child enjoys playing with you and learns new things! All that your baby or young child needs is you.
• Feeding time is a wonderful opportunity to play and talk with your baby or young child.
• Give your baby or young child opportunities to explore the world through play. Your baby or young child will enjoy playing with his or her fingers and toes, your face, and household objects (such as pots and pans). Follow his or her lead, encouraging play with safe objects that interest him or her. Observe your baby's language and sounds, and do not force him or her to play with something when he or she is not interested.
• Give your baby or young child challenging but achievable tasks. Guide your baby's actions and build on what he or she can do to make the task slightly more difficult.