NanaKim

We’ve spent months making plenty of time for face to face talking and singing. We’ve narrated all the diaper changes, feeding times, going for walks in the stroller and every little thing we could think of. We’ve read books with our baby multiple times a day. Honestly, to listen to myself chatter on is sometimes a little embarrassing but I love having this intimate time together looking into that beautiful face and seeing her eyes lighting up.

She has always burbled back in some fashion and of course we have responded with either cheerful burble or with words as if we understood everything she was saying. Slowly I noticed that the “ah” sounds she was making were joined by new sounds and some consonants appeared. From the time that she was able to watch us with attentive focus, we have been using sign language at a basic baby level: “diaper”, “milk”, “water”, “sleep”, “all done” etc. This has all been very helpful in reducing the frustration of communication as understanding begins to show in her facial expression. At the same time the music of her vocalizations is matching what she is hearing when other people speak. She looks earnestly at us as all this sounds that are a lot like language are emerging. I can’t wait to hear what she has to say.

Then one day I wasn’t sure if I was hearing things. After eating her lunch in the high chair I thought I heard her say “all done” as she signed with both hands. Was I hearing things? Getting ready for the next nap time, as we sat on the big bed next to the cot with our collection of books, she reached forward and picked up a small book saying “book”. I believe that these were her first words that I heard, but it was then a few weeks before I heard anything else, although her parents were beginning to hear “papa” and “mama”.
In contrast, my daughter’s first word was “bird” because my husband is a very keen bird watcher and was always pointing out birds to her. I did the same on our daily outside time back then. Looking back, she wasn’t hearing anyone call me “mom” and her dad worked long days so she wasn’t hearing his name as much. So no surprise that our names took longer to emerge.

Are you hearing any first words? What are your favorite songs, stories and activities to help with language development? As a grandparent, are you bringing in traditional favorites? Are you having to learn the latest baby songs? How is it going for you?