Communicating With Your Child

Even before your baby is born he wants to hear your voice. When you sing and talk to him, you are building your relationship with him and supporting his future language skills.

Here are some things you can do:

• Spend some time with babies to see how they communicate without a single word. Visit friends with babies or notice babies while waiting in the grocery store or bank line. Listen to the sounds babies make. Watch a baby’s face and how he moves. This will help you get ready to understand what your baby will be telling you, as soon as his first day.
• Start singing—if you don’t already. In the shower and out. Sing songs from your childhood and/or some of your favorite songs now. It doesn’t matter if you can’t carry a tune. The sound of your singing will soothe baby and let her know you are nearby.
• Revisit stories and books you enjoyed as a child. And/or think about new ones to share with baby. Start a baby’s library with a few photos of you getting ready for her. She will love to hear “her” story and it will show her the pleasure of language and sharing ideas and feelings.

additional resources my e-journal