Her sense of hearing is acute, but still being refined. Use this sense to help her learn about her world and make sense of everything around her. In addition to talking, singing, and reading to her, try these “listening games” to make her aware of all the sounds in her world:
1. Rattles on baby booties and wrist rattles
- These fun toys allow her to control the sounds she hears. As she gains more control over her movements, she will begin to understand cause and effect as she makes the rattle shake every time she kicks her foot.
2. Make instruments
- Fill a plastic Easter egg or small empty water bottle with small beans, then tape or glue it closed. Shake it gently near your baby’s right ear, then when she turns that direction, reward her by handing it to her.
3. Say nursery rhymes while you clap her hands to the rhythm.
- Learning rhythms and patterns is actually an early math skill and the earlier babies get a concept of it, the better.
4. Use different voice inflections when you read to her and tell her stories.
- Take note of if she looks at you when you change your voice pitch or rhythm. It will show that she is engaged and tuning into differences.
5. Help her discover the sounds in her environment and learn where they come from.
- When you turn on his music box, put it near his ear and allow him to touch it, then when you set it on the dresser take note. Does he look at it when you turn it on, noting where the sound is coming from? Keep doing this until it is clear that he understands where the music is coming from. You are teaching him about his world.
6. Show him that he can make sounds.
- Shake a rattle, then hand it to him. When in the bath, use your hand to splash the water while you say, “Splash, splash, splash” then take his hand and do the same thing. You are teaching him control over his environment. Babies love to make noise, so this can turn into a fun game.
7. When you see an animal, make the sounds of that animal.
- As you are driving, going for a walk, or you see an animal on TV say, “There’s a doggie. Bark, bark, bark.” Saying animal sounds is a great way for your baby to start practice making specific sounds and equating them to something tangible.
8. As you and your baby play with toys, make the sound that the toy would make.
- “Let’s drive the choo choo…chugga, chugga, chugga, choo choooooo.” This will teach your baby to incorporate sounds with play, another great way of building early language.