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Every child is unique.
I am not an expert.
I am not a doctor.
I am just a mom.
I am sharing different tips, tricks, and everyday habits we use in our household that we believe have helped our daughter pursue verbal and signed communication.
We do not believe she is either ahead or behind her peers. We are just sharing what we feel can help any child pursue communication skills.
Use of Sign Language
I was hesitant to start using sign language with our baby. I’ve spent time around many different children and households over the years and for whatever reason came up with my opinion on baby sign language.
I believed if you pushed sign language verbal language would be delayed. I still think there is potential for this to happen. I can’t completely shake it.
Because of this fear we did not go crazy teaching our baby numerous signs. We only used about 3 regularly at first. A couple of others have developed since then, but we started with “more” “all done” and “water.”
Clearly, mealtime was where we felt communication was necessary.
You can start baby sign language at any age. It is amazing how young they can pick it up. At first, they are just watching but eventually will attempt to use the sign themselves.
The use of sign language can be your first step in calm and clear communication with your baby.
Stop Whining or Grunting
Is there something in your home that you constantly find your little one wanting?
Maybe they constantly walk to the kitchen for a drink, or maybe they stand by the door whining to go outside.
Whatever you find causes frequent frustration, create or look up the sign for your baby.
Our daughter was a bit on the short side. She needed help getting up onto our large couch. She would walk up to the couch and basically scream at us to lift her up.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with her doing this. She is just trying to communicate! However, my husband and I sought a solution. This was happening time after time. After a full day of work, no one wants to be screamed at.
So we found a solution.
We taught our daughter to walk up to the couch and tap it two or three times. When she would do this we would lift her and say “up”.
This little tap-tap-tap was our daughter’s way of communicating. She quickly learned that when you communicate you can get what you want.
I believe this has played a huge role in her desire to communicate with us as parents.
Books
There are so many words for your little one to absorb. A great way to do so is by reading books! Books carry words that you do not frequently use in your daily vocabulary.
You probably say the same few phrases to your baby each and every day. Things like, “let’s go” or “time to eat”.
How often do you say things like, “the otter swam in the river” or “the bees buzzed in the meadow”?
Reading will give your child a beautiful vocabulary.
They may not be quite ready to spew these words back at you, but they will be banking them up for later.
Books that help your child start talking are those with tons of pictures. These books aren’t so much for reading a story, but rather point to pictures and reciting words.
Sometimes when you read hit every picture. Other times just focus on one thing per page. You could even focus on one item for a week. Then the next week continue with that item and add another.
Here are a few of the books I am referring to.
My First 1000 Words: With 1000 Colorful Pictures!
My First Learning Library Complete Set
Narrate the Day
Talk to your baby. Narrate everything you are doing. Talk about the activities you are doing or the things you come across in your day.
Slow down and take the time.
The more time you spend talking the more words you will say and therefore the more words your child will hear.
When you narrate the day you can say a variety of words, but will also have frequently repeated phrases.
Repetition is great for really learning those basic words.
If you want to hear more about this check out my article What Benefit does it Serve When My Toddler Repeats Actions and Processes?
Mouth Shape
When our daughter is working on a word, such as bye-bye, we encourage her to look at us as we say it. Seeing the shape of the mouth can be helpful.
Speak slowly, clearly, and repeat yourself.
Enunciate your words.
Another great way to show your baby the shapes your mouth makes is by seating them across from you while reading, rather than on your lap.
Encouragement
When your child makes the effort to communicate to you using words try to reward them by giving them what they asked for.
I am not saying go crazy here!
If they want to go outside and it is raining they probably will not get their way.
However, if they ask for a drink of water, get up and go give them one.
Our daughter constantly asks for water. It can get exhausting. We get up though and get it for her. She asked. She clearly wants it. And as parents, it is our job to meet her needs.
This is in a sense is a reward for using her words. This is a great way to use positive reinforcement.
Don’t Force It
Every baby is on a different schedule. They develop when they are ready.
Don’t push them to talk and make it a negative experience.
Do not force them to use words, simply encourage them to speak. When they do use their words to ask for something try to meet that need and thank them for asking.
If you feel that your baby is falling behind reach out to the resources in your area.
Remember though they will get there. They will talk eventually. In the meantime continue loving on your baby.
Check Out My Articles
What a Typical Full Day of Eating Looks Like for My Sweet 18 Month Old
Baby’s Second Christmas: How to Make It Even Better Than the First
What Benefit does it Serve When my Toddler Repeats Actions and Processes?
10 Affordable Outside Activities to Wear Out Your Toddler this Summer!