Be at your baby’s eye level. Get down to your baby's eyes or prop your baby safely in an infant seat. Look into your baby’s eyes and talk to him. Repeat the sounds he makes. The two of you can play verbal “ping pong.” Your baby makes a sound. Then, you make the same sound. Keep going back and forth. Each child will “talk” in different ways. Your job is to decipher your baby’s special ways of trying to “talk “ with you. When you respond back to your baby, you help him refine his emerging language skills. Let your baby join in household activities. Tell him what you are doing. Let him see what's happening. Talk to him in complete sentences. For example: "After I fold these clothes, we're going to take a walk." When you label what is happening, you help your baby connect words with actions and feelings. Your baby doesn't use words yet, but he will understand a universal language, body language. You can tell your baby you love him by giving him a hug, singing a song, or gently rocking him to music. You will find that he talks back by using his body. He will give you a smile, a giggle, a coo, a hearty chuckle, or a wiggle. Use both words and body language to tell your baby you care. He will learn to value the good things that happen when people enjoy talking with each other. Good language skills help your baby’s brain be wired in the most powerful way. Language skills are the key to social and emotional well-being as well as school success.

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