Be attentive to infants during routines such as diaper changing, feeding and changing clothes. Explain what will happen, what is happening and what will happen next. Characterize your interactions by gentle, supportive responses. Listen and respond to sounds that the infants make, imitate them and respect infants' sounds as the beginning of communication. Talk with, sing to and read to infants.
Language is an important means of communication, even for babies.
Be aware of infant signals. For example, when infants are tired of being held, they turn their head away from the face of the caregiver to show disinterest. A responsive caregiver follows this cue and places the infant in a new situation. Let toddlers initiate language and be patient as you wait for a response, especially from children whose language is limited. Talk to children frequently even if it feels like you are having a one-way conversation.