Every day
- Answer your baby’s sounds, looks and reaches, then pause for their turn.156
- Talk face to face during feeds, changes and bath time.
- Share a picture book for a few minutes: point and name.
- Give daily floor time with safe things to explore.
- Keep a calm, predictable bedtime routine.
- From 4 months, aim for 12-16 hours of sleep a day, naps included.123
Things to talk about
You’re looking at the dog! A big, fluffy dog.
Uh-oh, the spoon fell. Here it is!
Ba-ba-ba? Ba-ba-ba! Tell me more.
Where are your toes? There they are!
Go easy on
- Screens other than video calls before 18 months.110
- Expecting to read every cue right: mix-ups are normal, and repairing them is part of a healthy back-and-forth.50
