- Get physically close making sure the baby or child can see your face. Are they looking at you and do they seem to want to interact? This will help the child to observe faces and notice communications.
- Show that you are present and tuned in by using eye contact and touch to create shared moments of interaction.
- Be attentive and leave space for the baby to start a turn-taking interaction (‘serve-and-return’), where you copy the baby’s sounds or gestures.
- Use a range of animated facial expressions to show babies you are interested in them.
- Use a lively voice with ups and downs to help babies tune in.
- Say the baby’s name to draw their attention.
- Imitate the baby’s responses to show you notice and value their contributions.
- Encourage playfulness, laughter, turn-taking and responses, using “peek-a-boo” and action rhymes.
- Sing songs and rhymes during everyday routines.
- Use repeated sounds, and words and phrases so babies can begin to recognise particular sounds.
- Pay attention to babies’ teasing and emergence of humour. They may use inanimate objects to tease and provoke your reaction.
- Follow the baby’s focus and pay joint attention to what they are interested in.
