COMMUNICATING WITH MY INFANT
How you communicate with your infant will have an impact on how he/she develops his/her self-esteem, language, socialization, healthy relationships and the world around them. One of the most important things you can do as a parent is talk to the baby and listen to her. Have lots of positive communication and interaction on a regular basis.
Effective communication with your baby requires communication styles and behavior that is appropriate for healthy infant development. Understanding how children of different ages communicate and what they like to talk about is key to having a rewarding interaction.
INFANTS BIRTH TO 12 MONTHS
Infants make themselves heard, they cry when they are hungry or uncomfortable. As a parent, you soon learn what those cries mean and respond to them. They also coo, gurgle, and grunt as if talking to you. They use facial expressions, body movements like cuddling, back arching, eye movements and arm and leg movements.
TIPS FOR ENCOURAGING INFANT COMMUNICATION:
• When you are face to face with the infant such as diapering time and feeding time, talk to your infant, sing songs, and gently tickle the infant.
Maintain eye contact, infants are fascinated by your face and love to look at faces up close. This helps make a close infant-parent bond.
• Catch your infant’s attention and help her focus by using a singsong, high pitched tone of voice. Big smiles, exaggerated facial expressions, and wide-opened eyes will all get her attention.
• Quickly respond to your infant’s communication by smiling back when he smiles at you. Comforting your infant when he is crying is responding to his communicating with you. If your infant turns his head to the side, relax and let him rest.
• Talk to your infant and identify his communication to you. For example: “I know you are crying, I know you are hungry, I’m getting your bottle now.” Or “You are smiling, you like it when I tickle your feet!”
Each infant has their own unique personality. Learn your infant’s style of expressing emotion, preferred level of activity and tendency to be social.
For Example: Some infants are quiet and observant and prefer infrequent adult interaction. Other infants are emotional, active and seek continuous adult attention and interaction.
Recognizing the unique personality of your infant will make effective communication easier.
Read to your infant starting right at birth. Choose books with bright colors, simple illustrations, rhymes, photos, and different textures. Read to your baby every day. Find a place where you can cuddle your infant and a make it a special time.