Encouraging Your Child's First Words

Reaching the milestone of speaking their first words is an exciting moment for children and parents alike. Children typically start speaking words with meaning between 9-18 months. Early language development lays the foundation for future communication skills. As a parent, you can play a vital role in fostering your child's language growth. Here are five activities which can encourage your child to speak their first words:

You can engage in simple conversations with your child such as:

1. Describing daily activities.

2. Responding to coos and babbles of your baby.

3. Using infant-friendly simple language.

You can foster a love for books in your child while reading out aloud which encourage your child to try and speak as well.

1. You can read colorful and simple stories to your child.

2. You can point to pictures and name objects.

3. You can encourage page-turning.

This activity can be used to introduce and expand the vocabulary of your child. Following are the simple steps which can be taken:

1. Label toys and objects which interest your child.

2. Repeatedly speak the same words and phrases

3. Encourage imitation 

You should encourage language mimicry with your child while making it a fun game. Some games could include

1. Play "Repeat After Me."

2. Use gestures and sounds.

3. Imitate your child's babbles.

You should try to develop phonological awareness in your child.  This can be done via engaging in conversation which includes musical compositions and rhyming. 

1. Sing nursery rhymes.

2. Recite simple poems.

3. Engage in musical conversations.