成人快手

It's likely that you naturally use actions when you talk to your baby, for example when you say certain words to your baby like 'bye-bye' or you point to things that you are looking at with them.

But did you know that actions are a key part of their language learning?

Dr Guddi Singh explains how and gives her tips in the video below.

A dad and his baby daughter playing with a toy teapot.
Image caption,
When you are playing together, repeat actions while you're talking about what you are doing, using words like 'drink'.

How do babies learn from actions?

  • Actions help babies to connect the things they see and do with the words that you say.
  • The more you repeat a word with its action, the more likely they'll make the connection between that word and it's action.

Easy ways to use actions with baby

  • Try making actions when you say words for things you do regularly as part of your day like 'drink', 'eat', 'bedtime/sleep', 'hello/goodbye'.
  • Sing nursery rhymes with actions. The repetition of the same songs over and over will help them learn what's coming and reinforce the words.
  • Try dancing together and commentating on what they're doing e.g. 'clap, clap, clap' or 'bounce, bounce, bounce'.
  • If you make an action like a wave, wait for your baby to respond. Do they wave back to you or make a sound? If they do, acknowledge it by saying it again or something new.
A dad and his baby daughter playing with a toy teapot.
Image caption,
When you are playing together, repeat actions while you're talking about what you are doing, using words like 'drink'.

Nursery rhymes with actions

There are lots of great action songs to sing with baby that they'll love to hear over and over. Why not give some of these a go?

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