Interactive Baby

Toddlers are developing their language skills quickly. Babies pick up the emotions behind the words that we use especially words like "No". The little ones can sense our feelings from the tone in our voices. So if we are arguing or yelling they do get a message...which is why they sometimes cry when they hear tones in our voices that evoke fear in them.

Between 12 and 18 months babies are really sponges with regard to vocabulary. It is really fun to begin to label things for him...not really labels but actually talking to him about the common objects he sees in his surroundings. I like to play a game while I am unloading the dishwasher...naming all the utensils and baby's dishes. So I get some thing done while baby is learning and sitting in the highchair safe and sound playing with some spoons and making delightful music.

As baby gets closer to 24 mos. he can understand simple questions... you can ask him if he wants more milk or crackers. He will be able to point out "doggy" or "ducky" in his favorite book. Although he may only be using about 50 words his understanding may include up to 200 words.

Between ages 2 and 3 baby may increase his vocabulary by 10 new ones per day. WOW!!! And this is when we hear some of the words that we say without realizing that baby is just waiting to surprise us by repeating these words oh so appropriately while they are playing. It is then that we realize how much they are listening to us.

Around 3 years old baby will understand adjectives and be able to sort objects into categories showing his understanding of nouns. He will understand verbs like run, walk, sit etc.

Understanding language development makes it easier for us to want to read to baby...it is never too early to read. Read often and interact by asking questions and answering them yourself at first so that baby begins to make connections with what he sees in pictures and words.

Repetitive rhymes and songs, animation in your speech, eye contact, speaking slowly and clearly all help baby turn babble into words.

I never did sign language with my children...but baby's understanding of language and his motor skills develop faster than his ability to speak. So it makes sense that signing would be a great way for baby to communicate at an early age.I am sure that you have noticed how much baby enjoys imitating you. Even as early as three months baby can imitate sticking out his tongue at you. Not to worry! Baby will forget this as he learns other behaviors. But it is fun to see them actually learn this imitated skill. Signing can help baby from becoming frustrated when they want something but as yet cannot verbalize what it is.

More discussion of signing to come....stay tuned.

Have a beautiful day. Lorette