Narrating your baby’s play – how your words can support understanding

What you need 

• Some time to play together 

What to try 

• Say the names of objects while chatting to your baby, and comment on their play.  
• If your baby reaches for anything or makes a noise while looking at something, respond as if they've said, "I would like to play with the rattle!" They'll notice that interacting with others can help them in getting favourite objects.  
• You could suggest playing with a specific toy, such as "Let's play with monkey!" Your baby may then glance at or reach for the object, and you can congratulate and comment on their understanding, with "Yes, that’s right! Let's play with the monkey!"  

Good to know 

Naming items during play helps your baby remember them, and may encourage them to start using these names as their language skills develop. Early learning and understanding depend on repetition and keeping words and descriptions simple will encourage your baby to make connections between language and everyday objects.