As you bond with your baby in the first months, you’ll start hoping he can talk back. You will eagerly look forward to the day your child will say his first words. Then you can’t wait for the full sentences because toddlers are naturally funny.
Once you know how to encourage your baby to talk, you’ll enjoy the toddler phase.
- Sometimes, parents think that the gibberish sounds that babies make are too childish. However, the first step to encouraging your baby to talk is imitating those sounds. You should maintain eye contact with the child as if you understand what he is saying. In the course of that dialogue, try and get them to pronounce simple words like ‘mama’ and ‘papa.’
- Use appropriate gestures and facial expressions when talking to the baby. That way, he will start associating words and corresponding actions.
- Don’t silence the child. How many times have you tried to quieten your baby when he starts to produce baby sounds? Unless you are in a public space where silence is mandatory, let the young one speak as much as possible.
- Moreover, if the child has begun pronouncing some words, don’t answer them in gibberish. Use the correct word to help him learn. For example, your baby says ‘apo’ referring to ‘Chapo’, respond with the right name.
- Motivate your baby with cheers, words of affirmation and applause whenever they form a meaningful name. Then keep using the term regularly for the child to master it.
- Also, try and form simple sentences with the word your child has pronounced. For instance, if his first word is ‘papa,’ try simple phrases like ‘papa come,’ ‘papa eat,’ etc.
- Talk to your baby in the language you usually use at home. Remember that home is the child’s first environment. So, the first language he hears is the one you use in the house.
- Take your child out for playdates. Children learn faster as they interact with other children. If your baby doesn’t have siblings who keep talking to him, go out for as many play dates as possible.
- As you go through your daily activities, explain what you are doing. Parents don’t like this because children keep asking endless questions. However, the worst you can do is scold or shout at the child when they’re learning how to talk.
- When you use a harsh tone to respond to your child, you create fear. The young one will develop a tendency to keep quiet whenever you’re in their presence. That fear can affect his communication skills in the future. As such, consider using a friendly tone when talking to your baby. Moreover, learn to add your chats with words like ‘I love you’, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’.
Conclusion
Now you know how to encourage your baby to talk through responding to what he says and linking words and nonverbal cues. Don’t forget to use a friendly tone and words of affirmation to motivate the child to speak more.
