Why is it important that I talk with my child?

Research shows that having regular conversations with children makes them better thinkers, better readers and better communicators. When you talk to your baby or toddler, you are helping him or her learn new words and figure out how language works.

Baby babbling (the sound babies make) is actually early language. Even though it doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense to you, your baby is building knowledge of the world. So right from the start, be sure to talk, sing songs, play games and read to your baby. This will help your baby's language skills grow.

You will encourage your children to expand their own thinking when you:

• Point out and name animals, household objects, people, colors and shapes everywhere, all the time.

• Sing and listen to music whenever you can.

• When you read and talk with your baby, pause as though you were having a two-sided conversation. Your baby will then learn that speech includes taking turns.

• Talk with your children as you play, go shopping or work around the house.

• Listen to what they have to say—don't cut them off even if it takes a while for them to get to the point.

• Ask them questions (without quizzing or pressuring them).

• Share what you're doing by talking out loud: "I need to find the right-sized board to make a bookshelf. How big should it be? Now, where did I put the measuring tape?"

• Most important—have fun talking with and listening to your child. It's a simple way to help your child learn to think and communicate.

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