Ways to help your baby’s development

Our health visitor talks you though how to encourage your baby’s development in her first year

Keep an eye out for the efforts she makes to get your attention, such as blinking and making hand movements.
Watch how she begins to learn turn-taking in conversation, as she observes you talking to other people.
Caress, cuddle, kiss, stroke and massage her so she feels loved and secure.
Spend time having skin-to-skin contact, at any time of day, to calm and relax you both.
Talk, talk, talk! As you go about your daily routine with her, say things out loud like “You look hungry” or “It’s time for your nap now”.

Shhh. Turn off the phone and TV for at least an hour a day to help your baby listen and focus on your voice.
Play face to face. This lets him watch expressions and copy what you do.
Take turns making sounds. Babies love repetition; it helps learning and also encourages the art of turn-taking in conversation.
Let him choose. During quiet time, let your baby pick the toys and books he wants and follow his lead.
Communicate. Always tell your baby what you’ve planned, be it a nappy change, meal or sleep time. In time it’ll help him decode speech and motivate communication.

Fit safety gates to stairs to stop little ones climbing up and falling down.
Keep low furniture away from windows and fit your windows with locks to make sure your baby can’t climb out.
Secure kitchen cupboards with safety catches to avoid tots getting into them, especially where household bleaches, detergents and alcohol are stored.
Place guards around gas, electric and open fireplaces so your baby can’t burn himself.
Make sure electric flexes are out of reach so babies can’t pull appliances on to themselves, and fit socket covers to keep inquisitive fingers out.

Use gestures when you speak such as waving when you say goodbye, as this helps explain meaning.
Chat to your baby about your day telling him when it’s time for lunch or a nap so he can put activities to words.
Make eye contact when he babbles and smile to give him confidence.
Sing nursery rhymes and play a variety of styles of music as rhythm and repetition are the basis of language.
Build silence into your day as a baby needs time to process all he’s learned.