Beginning at birth, talk and sing to your child the same way parents have done for hundreds of years. Bring your face close, and make eye contact. Say the child's name often, and describe what you are doing. It's important to talk early and often because birth to age 3 is the prime time for cells in the brain to connect to each other. Connections occur whenever a child experiences light, hears sound, smells and tastes foods, and sees and touches objects.
Connections form pathways for learning.
The more the child experiences, the more connections are made. Around age 3, the connecting activity levels off, and at age 10, the unused connections begin to disappear. Listen and respond to coos, gurgles, and babbles. These sounds are the child's first attempts at language. By acknowledging them, you encourage the baby to continue listening and practicing.