One-sided conversations are NOT the most appealing way to spend your time. ‘
I mean… what value comes from just ONE person doing all of the talking?
Well Mama, listen up…
When it comes to our newborns or infants, there is immense value in having that one-sided conversation.
The brain of your little one was wired for language. The brain of your baby has already listened to you talk while in the womb. Your words and voice are vital to her continued brain development beyond the womb.
Research tells us the more spoken language and conversation that our babies hear starting at birth, the more developed their brain becomes.
According to Jim Trelease, research shows that long-term storage of sounds and word patterns begins as early as eight months. WOW!
Children (including infants) that hear the most language will have the best chance of having the best language skills.
Talking with our infants and toddlers helps strengthen language and communication which puts them on the path to reading, learning, and succeeding in school.
You can contribute to this process by having ONE-SIDED CONVERSATIONS with your baby.
This is easy and powerful when it comes to your baby’s brain development.
Talk.
Even though your baby can not talk back to you, hearing your spoken words builds their language skills and vocabulary before they begin speaking. Make eye contact with your little one, ask questions, and create conversation about anything.
Just talk. Not baby talk.
Speak the same way you would speak to an older child. Allow your tone and facial expression to change. This stimulates your little one and enhances brain development.
Talking to your baby can become a habit. The more you do it, the more natural it will feel and flow.
Erin G. Simpson
As a part of your one-sided conversations, consider incorporating baby sign language.
Baby sign language is the act of using hand gestures while speaking to communicate with your baby.
The hand gestures combined with your words allow your little one to learn the meaning of the gestures in context. When they are able to, you will notice them signing to you BEFORE they are able to speak. I know this from experience with my own three children.
Baffled? Let me explain more…
During the first 3 months with a newborn, you are feeding and changing your baby around the clock. Each time you bottle feed or nurse your little one, speak the word while simultaneously signing “MILK”. As you start to feed your baby you could say, “would you like some MILK?” (while showing the sign for milk as you speak the word). This communicates to your little one that the sign for milk means, “it’s time to drink my milk!”. Eventually, when she wants to nurse or a bottle, she will show you the sign and you will know exactly what she needs. No guessing why she is crying or upset.
This is exactly how you start teaching your baby sign language.
Just that easy!
Select the image below to access a printable sign card for “MILK”.
Interested in learning more about how to enhance infant brain development? Click here!
