Playing with your baby

Monika and her 11 month old daughter Svara enjoying playing at home.

Watch Dr Liz Kirk's commentary on what makes this a wonderful example of baby communication, or read on to find out more.

Simple play like this is a great opportunity to encourage your child's early communication. Mum and baby are taking turns rolling and passing the ball to one another and they are also taking turns 'talking' to each other. What we are seeing is a beautiful verbal and nonverbal conversation between mother and baby.

Monika is really good at reading Svara's mind. Monika asks Svara, 'Do you want to give Mummy the yellow ball?' but she notices that Svara has her eye on something else and is reaching instead towards the blue ball in Monika's hand. Monika notices this, reads Svara's mind and says 'Oh you want it back' and hands Svara what she wanted.

Noticing and responding to your child's cues in this way is what psychologists call 'Maternal Mind-Mindedness' and has been shown to be a great way to encourage babies' early language as well as their emotional development.

Find out more at the links below:

About baby communication

Singing with your baby

Talking with your baby

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Playing with your baby

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