Baby is learning that some people are familiar and some are not.
Baby takes their cues about new people from watching the reactions of family members they know and trust.
When whānau point to someone in a photo book and say, ‘There’s Koro’, baby is learning to point too, and will eventually copy it.
When whānau turn the page and say, ‘Turn the page’, baby will be listening and learning. One day baby will hear ‘turn the page’ and will do it — then whānau know that baby understands.
How to do it
Sit with baby on your knee and hold the book of family photographs where you both can see it.
Say, ‘Look! Here’s Mama!’ and point.
Let baby explore the book in any order they choose, and use ‘parallel talk’ to describe what baby can see and what baby is doing. Watch baby’s face for a reaction.
Keep pointing at and naming people in the book.
Say, for example, ‘Where’s Nanny?’ Watch and wait for the time when, in reply, baby looks or points to the right person in the book (or to the real person, if they’re around). Then you’ll know that baby understands what you’ve asked.
