Hearing a new word together with a word baby already knows strengthens baby’s expressive language.
Repeating baby’s word is a good way to show them that they’ve been understood.
Whānau can use this technique in the context of other games and activities with baby.
How to do it
When baby begins to use words, repeat them back using the correct version (but without correcting baby), and then add another word.
When baby begins to use 2 words, give baby back 3, and so on.
For example, if baby points to a person in a photo, say the person’s name, and add a word or phrase, like this: ‘Daddy. Daddy’s at rugby’.
Use this technique of adding another word to a known word, whatever game or activity you’re enjoying with baby.
Try not to ‘correct’ baby by saying things like ‘No, that’s not yours that’s Jacob’s shoe’. Instead encourage their attempts with, ‘Yes that looks like your shoe doesn’t it’.
