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Chapter 6: Communication

ACTIVITIES

The activities below are divided into 2 sections:

• activities to use before your baby can talk, and
• more activities to use when your child begins talking.

Communicating before your child can talk: Taking turns

Taking turns with your baby means (1) sending him a message or responding to messages he is sending you, and (2) trying to keep the give-and-take between you going.

Every time you take turns with your baby something different might happen. But here are some general guidelines that may help make taking turns work well:

1. To begin, let your baby know you are near and ready to play.
2. Let your baby take his turn first, so that he gives you a clue about what he wants to do. But if you have to wait a long time, go ahead and begin yourself.
3. When your baby responds in any way, consider that as his turn and respond to it. This way he knows you noticed his action and liked it. If he does not respond, try helping him with a 'prompt,' like a touch on his arm, to remind him it is his turn. It may also help to use activities that involve give-and take, like rolling a ball back and forth between you.
4. When you take a turn, try to take the same amount of time as your baby took for his turn.
5. Allow your baby to stop whenever he wants. Most games of taking turns last only a minute or two because babies can pay attention only for a short time.

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