Around age 5-8 months, your baby may start to imitate the sounds you make. We want to encourage as much imitation as possible because this will lead to us copying our words and using first words.

Imitating THEM is one of the best strategies to use to teach kids to imitate us! Why? 

•  It shows them that their sounds have meaning
•  Validates their communication attempts, which encourages more talking
•  Teaches them turn-taking, which is essential for conversations
•  It makes them more likely to imitate you and your words

Often parents stray away from this strategy because they think 'baby talk' is wrong - but this isn't baby talk.

True - speaking to your child in baby-talk (part words and half sentences) like "time for your ba ba, then we go nigh nights" isn't helpful.

BUT meeting your child where they are right now and imitating the noises they are making shows them that you're listening, that their message is important to you and that noises can have meaning. It strengthens the bond between the two of you as communication becomes enjoyable, and this then makes them want to talk more!! You're boosting their confidence! Until voila - they start to copy your silly noises... Then start to copy your words. And you have a talker!!

Do you imitate your baby's noises?! Try it!

You've got this.