baby talk.

one term that can mean many things to many people. so let me spill my thoughts on communicating with your baby.

a crying baby can be soothed by the voice of his mother [parent]. a content baby can be engaged by a parent's conversation. using a higher pitched voice, with exaggerated facial expression can help to interest your baby. this form of baby talk does not shorten words or ignore proper grammar. it focuses on pitch and intonation. although sentences may be simple, the focus is on meeting the needs and interest of your baby.

a cooing and babbling infant loves to have a partner to mirror back the sounds they are creating. these two stages of baby talk have a lot of open-vowel sounds and repeating consonants respectively. [ooooo, ahhhhh and ba ba ba ba, da da da da] this should be a game that your baby enjoys, it helps them to explore their vocal abilities and to validate their attempts at communication, attention or play. this is a positive way for parents to use non-standard English baby talk.

early talking can be a slow transition from babbling. once these sounds become consistent with an object or  feeling it has become a word to your baby. this word may not hold meaning to others but it sure does to your baby. in this situation you don't mirror the word your child is saying, you reassure or praise their efforts and use the correct word when you speak. ["ba ba ba" That is right! That is your bottle! Would you like your bottle?] it is very easy to slip into the shortened words and nicknames at this stage but remember that it is just as easy if not easier for a child to understand the standard English word [easier because it is standard for all caregivers in their life and they won't have to relearn it] than the shortened/made-up/nickname. keep praising their efforts and using correct words and grammar, they understand it and before you know it they will be speaking it. this is a great time to introduce baby sign language. it helps bridge the gap between their level of understanding and their ability to talk.

talking is part of communication and is a developing skill for a lifetime. toddler talking develops at incredible speeds and it is important to not hold them back. keep using correct terms, labels and grammar. it is ok to use some simple sentences but don't over do it. speak normally and see how they do and if you need to, rephrase or simplify. remember not only to validate their words but also their feelings, communication is how you will avoid those temper tantrums. be willing to listen, validate feelings and compromise when appropriate. when child is upset, don't talk their ear off. keep the conversation concise. ask lots of questions, narrate what is going on especially in new situations, teach them to listen, to respond. it is still ok to exaggerate expressions and be more animated as long as your child finds it engaging.

at all stages, keep the conversation going. even if it seems one-sided when they are young, they really are listening. it also helps you, as a parent, to key in on their non-verbal communication and their early attempts. plus it helps you stay a little more sane [or at least it helped me.] before you know it, that little one will be answering you back when you ask, "would you like peaches or pears?" or "what would you like to eat?" encouraging language also comes through singing and reading to your baby.

at all costs, avoid the syrupy-whiny-blubery nondescript baby talk that makes you look like an idiot. i don't know how better to describe it than that, hopefully you know what i mean. i cringe when i hear parents talking like this to their baby but even more so when it is their toddler or preschooler...ugh!

any thoughts, tips or pointers?