For me, getting my little ones to talk was really important. I do so much better with kids when they can begin to communicate. I have always talked to my babies like they can understand every word. I am constantly trying to reinforce anything I hear them attempting to say. When I’m putting on socks I say, “socks.” When I hand them a cracker I say, “cracker.” I try and use words all the time, repeatedly – like a crazy person. I might sit and flip lights on and off saying the words “on” and “off.” I might pick him up and put him down a bunch of times saying, “up” and “down.” We used simple sign language too, which studies have shown help kids learn language better. Anything I can do to get them to talk, I do.
Totally agree with this. Our daughter communicates amazingly well for her age and I definitely put this down to the amount of ‘real talk’ we have exposed her to since birth. No need for baby words or baby talk. We’ve always given her the real names for objects, gently corrected her if she pronounces things incorrectly and she LOVES to recite memory verses (she knows 2 by heart at 21 months) and repeat letters to spell people’s name.
This is so great. I’m sure your work has totally let to her abilities to communicate. I am so glad you’re teaching verses at such a young age too. Good work, Mama!