Baby's hearing Activity
Provide baby with lots of opportunities to develop their hearing ability.
Why do it?
- Hearing and speaking are linked but hearing starts developing before speech so it’s important for baby’s language development that their hearing is regularly monitored.
- Baby is interested in sounds made nearby, at around 4 months old they will turn their head towards a sound
- Connections are being made in baby’s brain for sounds they’ve heard. Repeating them strengthens connections until eventually they become permanent language pathways.
- By 6 months old, baby has made brain connections for many of the sounds in the language/s spoken in their home, especially the vowel sounds.
How to do it
You’ll need: a rattle
- If you don't own a rattle you could try making your own from recylced materials. For example, add beads or small pebbles to a small container.
- Try shaking the rattle gently to the side of baby and watch how they respond.
- Try shaking it above them and watch what they do.
- Try shaking it further away and observe baby.
- Try whispering to baby — see how they respond.
- How far away can you go and then whisper to them, and still get a response?
Tips: Do this activity on the floor. It is best if baby is rested, has been fed, and is in the mood to play.
Using more reo Māori
| Titiro mai | Look over here |
| Whakarongo, he aha tēnā? | Listen, what’s that by you? |
| Kaua e tangi | Don’t cry |
| Kei te ngau tō puku? | Have you got a sore puku? |
| Kei te pīrangi kaikai koe? | Do you want some food? |
| Kei te hiakai koe? | Are you hungry? |
| Huakina mai tō waha | Open up your mouth |
| Anei. E kai | Here you are. Eat up |
| Me waiata tāua? | Shall we sing a song? |
| Kei te hūpē tō ihu | You’ve got a snotty nose |
| Anei te tihi, me ūkui tō ihu | Here’s a tissue, let’s wipe your nose |
| Ka rawe | Awesome! |
