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Info Centre - Communicating with babies and toddlers

Talking ‘motherese’

Babies love to listen to the voices of their parents and in face-to-face ‘conversations’ they also imitate facial expressions and move their bodies in time with the adult’s speech. Many adults instinctively alter their communication to appeal to young babies, adopting a higher-toned, sing-song voice, exaggerated facial expression (especially wide smiling and wide open eyes) with lots of repetition and even nonsense words: ‘Who’s a lovely little baba then?’. This now has a (rather sexist) name ‘motherese’, even though some fathers do this too (especially if they aren’t being watched!). Motherese is important, as it is attractive to your baby and introduces him to the rhythm and sounds of speech, as well as the potential pleasure to be had in taking part in ‘conversations’.

Early speech

After crying and giggling the first sounds you will notice in the early months are ‘cooing’ then babbling. Babbling (‘mamama’, ‘dadada’) makes its appearance at about 6-8 months. During this very early speech development, turn-taking and what is known as ‘scaffolding’ becomes increasingly important. For example your baby says ‘da,da,da’, you listen carefully as if to ‘real’ speech and then say ‘Yes, there’s Daddy’. You are responding to what your baby says and building on it, so your baby learns that conversation involves turn-taking and that the sounds he makes can become words.

Talk and play

All talk and play between you and your baby is valuable but the use of nursery rhymes, songs, books and stories has been shown to be particularly beneficial. Rhymes and songs, especially with actions, expose your baby to phrasing and rhyming, and increase his vocabulary. Repetition and familiarity are important, so sing the same songs and look at the same books frequently. Looking at books from an early age is enjoyable and can be a pleasant activity for the quieter times of the day. Let your child point out the pictures to you and offer names of objects. Remember that in the early years you are not trying to teach your child to read – use book-sharing as an opportunity to cuddle up and talk together.

Key ways to support your baby’s communication skills

Make time to talk and play with your baby throughout the day.
Talk about what you are doing and what is happening around you.
Don’t be embarrassed to use ‘baby talk’ or ‘motherese’ – high pitched, repetitive and
rhyming words are used with babies around the world.
If your baby seems tired, cross or looks away don’t force the issue. Just be ready to play when he’s in a better mood.
Sing to your baby, even if your voice isn’t great. Babies love listening to your voice.
Reduce the use of dummies, especially during waking hours,
as sucking babies babble less.
Make eye contact when talking.
With older babies, speak slowly and clearly.
‘Listen’ to your baby (both his noises and his gestures) and encourage pointing.
Take turns to ‘talk’ and let him take the lead.
Notice what your baby is looking at, and name things for him.
Reduce background noise in your home.
Share nursery rhymes, sing action songs, read books – it’s never too early to start.

Your verbal toddler

Sometime between the first and second birthday your child will begin to use words and even put them together into two word phrases (although as with all milestones individual children vary greatly). Making your environment language-rich and listening carefully to your child will encourage him to use the words he knows and learn many more. Contrary to popular opinion, at this stage age-appropriate television programmes can extend your child’s language skills. However, make sure he doesn’t watch too much (the National Literacy Trust recommends no more than half an hour a day for the under twos) and that where possible you watch with him, so you can discuss what you are watching. Having the television on as background to other activities, especially during mealtimes, is thought to be harmful as it distracts adults as well as children from talking to one another, and children may become used to ‘tuning out’ language in their environment.

Language development and your toddler

Make his environment ‘language-rich’ with plenty of stories, books, rhymes and conversation.
Listen carefully to his early words and don’t criticise or draw attention to mistakes, simply repeat the words properly.
Where possible make eye contact before speaking so you know he is listening.
Try to avoid the habit of frequent instructions. Talk should be fun, not bossy, and children need the opportunity to talk, not just to listen.
Avoid having the television or speech radio on as a constant background noise.

Further information

http://www.talktoyourbaby.org.uk/ - A dedicated website from the National Literacy Trust with useful, clear information about early communication skills.

http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/ - Covers all speech, language and literacy issues, including evidence based discussion for and against baby signing.

Page lasted updated 2009.