Ideas To Encourage Baby Talking!

The role of parents in language development of children is unquestionable in today’s times of small nuclear families. Basically, it will be a one-way communication as babies will not respond but that should not deter you from speaking to them. It has been shown that talking to children early on, can help them to talk faster and learn more words. The number of words a child hears is directly proportional to the amount of vocabulary he/she will be able to master.

6 ways to help your baby learn speaking:

1. Let them listen a lot

Children learn to speak by listening first. So more and more words they will listen, so do they will speak. Make sure your child comes in contact with children in the peer group and plays with them. Many words can be learned with their help.

2. Read a book

You should start to read to your child as early as possible. The type of book is not as important as you may use various touch and feel books such as graphic novels. Initially, you may start with board books and then move on to picture books and finally to story books. It helps in increasing the child's vocabulary as well as imagination.

3. Talk as much as you can

Part of a child's ears and brain that respond to sound are developed since birth, so even though talking to your baby may not make much sense, talking to them enhances their development of speech. The infant absorbs the words which facilitate speaking.

4. Look for cues

If the child is interested in something such as a book or a toy, then engage with the child on that subject. Encourage him/her to ask questions and interact as much as possible. These interactions help in enhancing the child's language skills.

5. Limit television

Using television to teach vocabulary to your child is not as effective as talking directly. The primary reason is that characters in television do not react to your child's cues. This does not allow the child to interact which results in reduced language learning.

6. Get the ears checked

It is important to treat ear infections early as this causes hearing problems which in turn delays language learning. Consulting a pediatrician to get treatment for ear infections of your child is advisable. You should see to it that the child is being administered medications at regular intervals.

Please do note that if your child is not speaking, then there may be some congenital hearing deficit which if detected early can be managed with cochlear implants and other therapies and help in speech and mental development.