Communication Basics
Babbling, crying, facial expressions, gestures, and eye gaze are all examples of this.
What is communication?
Around this age, babies may make sounds other than crying and smile at people who talk or smile.
What is around 2 months?
Around 15 months, children may point to ask for this.
What is something they want?
Talking while feeding, dressing, playing, or getting ready for a nap turns these into learning opportunities.
What are everyday routines.
Active listening means giving a child your attention, not just doing this.
What is hearing the words?
This type of communication means understanding words, tone, gestures, and facial expressions.
What is receptive communication?
Around this age, babies may coo, make sounds back, and turn toward a familiar voice.
What is around 4 months?
Around 18 months, toddlers may follow simple direction without needing these extra cues.
What are gestures?
When a child says "Dog!", and adult might respond, "Yes, a big brown dog is running." This strategy adds language and is called this.
What is expanding on the child's words?
Getting down to the child's level, turning toward them, and using a calm expression help show this.
What is focused attention?
This type of communication means sharing needs, ideas, or feelings through sounds, gestures, signs, pictures, or words.
Around this age, babies may squeal and begin babbling consonant sounds such as "m" or "b".
Around 24 months, children may begin combining at least this many words.
What are two words?
Reading together, singing songs, and repeating rhymes are ways to support this.
What is language development?
Repeating the main idea in your own words and naming a possible emotion are ways to do this.
What is active listening?
Taking turns, noticing others, and sharing attention during interaction is part of this.
What is social engagement?
Around 9 months, babies may respond to this when someone says it.
What is their name?
Between 30 and 36 months, children may ask questions and take several of these during conversation.
What are conversational turns?
Instead of directing every interaction, adults should follow the child's interests and these.
What are cues?
If you guess a child's feeling incorrectly, accept their correction and do this.
What is listen and try again?
Milestones should be used as helpful guides for observing and supporting children, not as this.
What is a competition or a label?
Waving bye-bye and possibly saying "mama" or "dada" are examples of skills around this age.
When a child's development concerns you, share specific observation with the pediatrician rather than doing this yourself.
What is diagnosing the child?
When a child looks at or reaches for something, naming what they notice is one way to do this.
What is respond to the child's communication?
If you cannot stop immediately because you are handling a hot pan, tell the child you want to listen, finish making things safe, and then do this.
What is follow through and listen?