Get down to their level so they can see your face. This tells them that you’re interested in what they’re doing and saying. It makes it easier to interact with you.
Repeat the sounds they make. Babies enjoy making noises, and like it when you imitate them over and over.
Sing and laugh, especially when you are feeding, bathing, and changing them. Remember to talk to your baby throughout the day about things you do and see – “Mommy’s putting on her coat”, That’s a big truck”
Tell them the names of the objects they are looking at and playing with. Babies are interested in exploring and learning about new things, and like to hear what things are called.
Toddlers like it when you:
Let them touch and hold books while you point to and name the pictures.
Use real words instead of baby talk – “give me” instead of ta ta or “bottle” instead of baba.
Take the time to listen to them – they want you to hear all of their new sounds, words and ideas.
Give them simple directions to follow – “Go find your red boots”.
Use lots of different words when you talk to them – opposite words like up/down, in/out; action words like “running”, “splashing”, and descriptive words like “happy”, “big”, “little”, “clean”, “dirty”.
Encourage them to play with other children – at the library, play groups, parks
