What Is It, and How Is It Called?

Materials You Need: Various books, magazines, catalogs, signs, everything that contains letters and words or other symbols and that encourages talking and having interesting conversations.

What You Can Do Together: Starting when your baby is just a few months old, quietly talk to the baby while feeding him/her, changing his/her diapers, holding him/her in your arms, or when he/she is next to you on the mat, or in the stroller. Although he/she does not understand all the words, even as a newborn the baby recognizes your voice, and it will please him/her. When you see your baby reacting to your voice, respond with warm smiles, caress him/her, etc.  If he/she doesn't respond, keep trying!  He/she'll begin to respond.

Read simple baby books or tell stories from day one. Even if s/he does not understand the story, the baby will enjoy your closeness and your voice. She/he likes to look at the pictures you show him/her. Read books written for babies or colorful magazines and at the same time show what is in the image and tell the baby about it. Let the baby pat the pictures in the book. Name everything s/he shows in simple words. 

Books are important, but so is just talking with your baby about anything and everything.  When the weather is nice, take your baby for a walk in nature, even if it is just outside your home.  Tell him/her about everything you see. 

If you do not have books around, you can also talk about things like the parts of the body, objects that you use every day, and people that the child knows. That way, s/he will understand that everything has a name and will gradually start learning those names. Name everything you do in your daily activities and routines. While naming things, show the object or what you are doing. "Mom makes juice for the baby." "This is juice," you show the juice. "Mom changes the baby's diaper." "This is a diaper", and you show the diaper. Make sure the baby hears and sees what you're showing her. E.g. "We are eating broccoli today, mmmm, how delicious " and show the bowl.   These are not "lessons" but are enjoyable moments together as you introduce your baby to all the wonderful things in the world!

Whenever you have free time to play you can use the above examples in your daily routines (changing clothes, preparing for a meal, etc.).

What Your Child is Learning: Even if the baby doesn't understand you, he/she will follow the pictures, sounds, smells, and your voice. S/he will understand that everything has a name and will gradually start learning those names.