Back
695 days ago

Your infant is listening to you.

Donnell from Saint Johns

Your infant is listening to you. At just 3 days old, without understanding what it means, infants can pick out individual words from speech a University of Manchester study has proven.

From birth your baby absorbs a huge amount of information about words and talking just from listening and watching you talk.

Later, they will will coo, smile, laugh, make more sounds and move their body to communicate with you.

This interaction strengthens your relationship and helps them learn more about the world at the same time.

Parents who talk to their babies about everyday things use different sounds and words. When children hear a lot of different words, it increases the variety of words they understand.

Excellent for their language and communication development.

Talking with babies helps their brains develop and can help children do better at school when they’re older.

You don’t need to make a special time for talking. You can talk to your baby about hanging out the washing, preparing meals or whatever is happening around you. Any and all talking is good for your baby or toddler, so try to talk as much as you can during the day.

Tips for talking with infants

* Reduce distractions. Turn off background noise to just ‘be present’ to talk to your child.
* Talk about an experience you shared – for example, ‘It’s sunny today. But remember the rain yesterday?
* If you use complex words, explain them by describing. For example, ‘We’re going to see the paediatrician – a special doctor who knows all about babies and children’.
* Ask a question or make a comment about something you are doing, giving baby time to process.
* Use natural pauses teaching ‘give and take’ in conversation. Baby will eventually fill these pauses when language develops.
* Read and tell stories daily from birth, if you can. Baby will learn this is when you enjoy a special time together.

Image
More messages from your neighbours
9 hours ago

Poll: How do you feel about dogs being allowed indoors in cafes?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

For most of us, seeing a friendly doggo while out and about instantly brings a smile to our faces. But how do you feel about cafes welcoming pups inside?

Cast a vote and share your thoughts below.

Image
How do you feel about dogs being allowed indoors in cafes?
  • 26.5% I love it!
    26.5% Complete
  • 34.5% Only in designated areas
    34.5% Complete
  • 38.9% No, it should be outdoors only.
    38.9% Complete
550 votes
19 hours ago

This one was sent in by your fellow neighbour, can you figure it out?

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What is first white then red and the plumper it gets the more the old lady likes it?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

Image
5 days ago

Here's Thursday's thinker!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I am lighter than air, but a hundred people cannot lift me. What am I?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

Image