At-Home Activities for Birth to 5 Months

This activity combines family tradition and culture with brief communication interactions that are invaluable for developing the foundations of language and literacy.

When you enter into an interactive verbal “dance” with your baby, you show him just how important he is to you.

The interaction between an infant and those adults closest to her is essential for the natural development of communication and language. You can increase blossoming communication development by adapting your behaviors to the “rhythm” of your infant’s needs.

Spend time with your infant face-to-face. This helps to teach him that people close to him take pleasure in his communication attempts.

During these early months, your infant is becoming more aware of herself and of her body. Provide many safe opportunities for movement and exploration.

As a newborn, your infant’s communication consists mainly of cries and burps! However, it is not long before he starts making noises and sounds that are close to the sounds you make as you talk (coos and oohs). As you react to these sounds your infant makes, you will have your first “conversations” with your little one.

Your baby can’t get enough of listening to you talk! Your baby is familiar with and focused on your voice, its tone and its cadence. You can stimulate your baby’s oral language abilities by just talking to her…about anything!

Even if you don’t consider yourself to be a good singer, your baby loves the sound of your voice. Humming and singing to your baby soothes him and gives you some happy bonding time.