1. Talk, Sing, and Narrate Everything You Do
Babies learn language through constant exposure. Talk to your baby while changing diapers, cooking, or walking. Describe what you see, name objects, and sing songs. This builds vocabulary and shows your baby that language has rhythm and meaning long before they can speak.
2. Read Simple Books Aloud Daily
Start with sturdy board books, high-contrast images, and simple patterns. Let your baby explore books with their hands and mouth—it’s part of learning! Reading daily, even for a few minutes, helps your baby associate books with comfort and bonding.
3. Respond When Your Baby Coos or Babbles
Every sound your baby makes is an attempt at communication. When you smile, talk back, or imitate their coos, you’re teaching the back-and-forth rhythm of conversation. This interaction builds the listening and speaking skills that lead to reading later on.
4. Play with Sounds and Facial Expressions
Make silly faces, repeat playful sounds like “ba-ba” or “ma-ma,” and exaggerate your tone. Babies are wired to notice mouth movements and sound patterns. These early “sound games” prepare them to recognize letter sounds later.
5. Keep Books Around as Part of Playtime
Place a few books in your baby’s play area so they see them as toys and comfort objects. Let them flip, chew, and look at pictures. Early familiarity with books leads to a lifelong comfort with reading.