Are you hearing their first words?
It’s all coming together! Your baby may be uttering their first few words. Their persistence in working out how to engage in interaction, use knowledge of objects and routines, along with their developing skill at making sounds consistently is all paying off!
At first, your baby might use the same words for a few objects. This is perfectly fine. The words you may hear will most likely be “mama,” “baba,” or “dada,” – these are the sounds that were used initially in their babbling phase. The difference now is that your baby is using these sounds consistently with the objects and people they are ‘talking’ about.
Have you ever considered what receptive language is? It's beginning to make sense to your baby
Put simply, receptive language means your baby is understanding the words you say. They are connecting words and look at objects when you name them. Your baby is now also able to connect some action words (verbs), like kiss, clap or drink. These first verbs are the easiest to understand as they always mean the same.
Fun fact: babies are more able to learn the names of objects
Research shows us that, universally, babies have a greater ability to learn the names of objects rather than verbs. So, why does your baby learn certain words before others?
Of course, all babies are different, and yours will learn particular words based on what they see and experience on a regular basis. But, according to research, babies, on average, have a greater ability to learn the names of objects than action or performing words.
Talk to me gently - what is 'serve and return'?
You might have heard the term, ‘serve and return’ and wonder what this means, ‘serve and return’ is a term used to describe the reciprocal interactions that adults have with babies and children. In these interactions the baby or child offers a ‘serve’ this could be as simple as looking at you or at an object, making a sound or moving their arms and legs and then, as your baby develops, it could be making sounds or saying a word. The adult notices this serve and returns it, so this could be by looking where the baby is looking, pointing, commenting, offering a gentle touch or a smile. Responding to your baby’s ‘serves’ helps to build your relationship with them, shows them that their interests will be noticed and encourages curiosity. Your responses also provide the opportunity for them to hear the words to name the things that they are looking at, it might be a while before they say words but hearing the names of objects helps them to link words and the things that they see.
I've arrived, and I am making non-crying sounds too, I promise!
Let’s think about ALL the little noises your baby is making... not just crying!
We’re on the move! Let’s have some fun with crawling. Uh, oh my baby is on the move!
Your baby may be moving around by this stage by bottom shuffling, crawling, or rolling. It is very typical for some babies to miss out the crawling phase altogether. If your baby has decided walking is their mission, there are plenty of ways you can build the skills your baby would have been practising.
Tummy time is great for your baby's core
Tummy time is a great way to develop strength in your baby’s core and back muscles, which will eventually support them to sit up, crawl and walk.
Babies and core strength
Release your baby’s inner bear – let the climbing commence!
Your baby may be starting to climb and move around more confidently, almost bear-like. Their upper body gross motor skills are further developing and they are now gaining the ability to use their arms and legs in a more coordinated way.
To the rescue – helping your baby move from standing to seated
Your baby is now growing in strength, and may be able to stand using a support for longer, or stand briefly on their own. At this stage, your baby is likely to get themselves into some sticky positions – they have learned how to boost their legs into a standing position, but not necessarily how to get back down again!
We’re motoring... and we’re off! Things to think about when your baby is cruising
The moment has arrived where your eyes have to be everywhere. Your baby is gaining in strength and may now be able to cruise more independently. They might crawl or bottom shuffle to where they want to stand, then push themselves up and cruise along a sofa. Your baby still needs lots more time to practise and develop their early walking skills. They're learning how to shift weight and balance, and will wish to do this independently, so they need all the support they can get.
