Help Me Learn

Talk to your baby in complete sentences about what you are doing. Pause to give her a chance to answer. At first, she’ll only be able to smile or wave her arms. Learning to talk is hard work. Your baby is learning that we talk to each other by taking turns.

Give your baby lots of chances to practice sounds and praise her when she succeeds.

Hold your baby on your lap in front of a tabletop or other flat surface. Tie one end of a piece of string around one of her favorite toys while she is watching you. Place the toy out of reach, then say, “Get the toy." She will soon learn to pull the string to get the toy. Be sure to take the string off the toy before you give it to her to play with by herself. Put the string away where your baby can’t reach it.

Keep up the tummy time sessions. Watch your baby closely and play games with her so this can be a fun time for both of you.

Want to Learn More about Child Care and Development?

Check out this Web site: Zero to Three for Parents on development in the first three years of life.

If you have questions, contact your local Extension office.

When reading this newsletter, remember: Every baby is different. Children may do things earlier or later than described here. This newsletter gives equal space and time to both sexes. If we write he or she, we are talking about all babies.

Credits: This newsletter was adapted from Extension Just In Time Parenting Newsletters in California, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Tennessee, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin.