TALK TO YOUR BABY
By Claire Marketos
"With reference to" Parents need to Talk the Talk" ( Sunday Times, August 12, 2007), talking to babies is not only important for teaching language, but is vital in acknowledging their feelings, thereby teaching empathy.
Explaining actions and feelings soothes the baby, creating good listening and reasoning skills, which no T.V. programme can do.
While it may feel ridiculous explaining actions and feelings to a young baby, there is something about the tone of your voice that calms them. For example speaking to a baby of a few weeks old, you might say: “I know you don’t want to take your clothes off. I know you feel cold and uncomfortable. Let’s quickly wash the dirt of the day off and you’ll be snug and warm in your clean clothes.”
While babies won’t understand every word you are saying, they will know that the tone of your voice is reassuring, which makes them feel safe.
Because children imitate adults, they will, as they grow older, begin to find the words to express their feelings, and explain their behaviour in the same way you did.So, take the time to talk to your children. - Claire Marketos' (Sunday Times, August 19) http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/PrintEdition/Articleaspx?id=542652(Scroll down to the last article).