| 7-12 MONTHS |
| Moving forward, the capacity to learn is increasing greatly now as the baby's ability to convey intentional responses and reactions are strengthening. Through the establishment of a routine schedule and consistent teaching, the increased interaction and communication between the parent and baby make active teaching lessons flow more easily and progressive for both. |
| COMMUNICATION : | |
| The first baby step in interactive language development is reciprocal babbling. Reciprocal babbling is a separate milestone that indicates the baby has learned to verbally answer (or try to) with his or her own voice in response to another's voice. Develop reciprocal babbling and encourage this next milestone of language development with direct eye contact when communicating with the baby. | |
| Reinforcement should be continued of closely associated words or provide language-based responses instead of returning babble talk to progress the baby's word formation and familiarity. As reciprocal babbling develops, babies will string together different syllable sounds in an effort to "speak". Responding with "oh really, that's interesting!", "what happened next?" or some other relevant response will also further develop reciprocal babbling and overall word development. | |
| REINFORCEMENT : | |
|
Pointing has been an intentional action that has been utilized from the beginning of active teaching and as this phase progresses, babies will begin utilizing this function toward objects or people. Now is the time to begin pausing after asking the baby reinforcement questions to give an opportunity to respond. It is best to begin this type of interactive teaching during optimized learning times while utilizing a book with crisp, clear colors or shapes. This will help to block out additional distractions until the baby gets accustomed to responding. In the beginning, help the baby make the connection by asking the question (example: "Where's red?"), pausing then pointing to the color while answering (example: "Red!"). Immediately repeat, but instead of the parent pointing, take the baby's pointer finger to point to the color and answer again the correct color name. | GESTURING and BABY SIGN LANGUAGE : |
|
As a result of instinctive mimicking and association skills, babies often begin to exhibit voluntary (and sometimes involuntary) gestures that have been displayed by parents from birth such as waving bye-bye, nodding the head to mean yes or shaking the head for no. Baby sign language not only eases the communication bridge between parent and child but also helps to advance overall language and speech skills and comprehension. When to begin sign language instruction varies from baby to baby. However, a good indication is when the baby begins to use hand motions like waving bye or hi. As always, repetition and continuity will be the key to progressive learning. On average, most babies will produce their first sign after 2 months of consistent instruction; however, some babies have produced their first sign after just 2 weeks of instruction. It is best to start with a few basic signs that can be accompanied by a direct action or object for easier association. Make sure, however, any signs you choose to teach become a part of the daily routine and the corresponding word is vocalized. As the baby begins to gesture some basic words and makes the connection that hand gestures convey a message, additional words can be added with greater ease as the baby will be more receptive and attentive to hand motions. EAT: With all fingertips touching thumb (in one hand), bring hand to mouth and tap the lips. FINISHED or DONE: With both hands and fingers spread open in front of you (palms facing upward), flip both hands downward (palms facing downward). BOOK: With fingers and palms together (thumbs pointing upwards), open and close your palms as if opening an imaginary book. MOMMY: With your hand and fingers spread open; tap, tap, tap just the tip of thumb to chin. DADDY: With hand and fingers spread open; tap, tap, tap just the tip of thumb to forehead. MILK: Open and close fist several times. | |
| A favorite toy is also an excellent starting sign like: | |
|
BEAR: Cross both arms over chest into "X" formation, open and close all fingers several times in a scratching motion. DOG: Pat, pat, pat the upper thigh-hip area with open hand as if calling a dog to come. CAT: On one hand, with the pointer finger and thumb tips together and remaining 3 fingers spread open, move pointer finger and thumb tip from lower nose area outwards as if stroking whiskers on your face. BIRD: Make a fist, stick out only pointer finger and thumb. Tap, tap, tap the pointer finger and thumb tips together next to your mouth as if illustrating a bird's beak as your mouth. | |
|
| NUMBERS and COUNTING : |
| After basic colors and shapes, parents should progress ahead with teaching numbers one through ten which should be actively taught in the same manner as colors and shapes. During optimized learning times, show the baby a clearly printed visual, point to the visual and slowly repeat the number several times. Support the lessons by choosing and sticking with one or two specific tasks that are performed daily with the baby (like climbing the stairs, preparing a baby bottle or snack) AND actively teach counting by reciting numbers one to ten while completing the task. Just be sure to finish the task by the time you get to number "ten" so count slowly if need be. Reinforcement of numbers in this manner not only refreshes the lesson but also helps the baby make the next-step connection to learning how to count. | |
| PLAN OF ACTION : | |
|
| Copyright © 2010 Peekaboo Presents - All rights reserved. Privacy Notice. |
