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Health Information and Tools > Speech, Language and Hearing > Literacy >  Sound play with babies
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Speech, Language and Hearing
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Literacy

Sound play with babies

Did you know?

Learning to read, write and have conversations begins at birth. Play with sounds, share books, draw pictures, an​​​d talk to your baby.

How?

  • Have fun copying your baby’s sounds, noises and gestures.
  • Use playful voices and make faces.
  • Be face to face:
    • Play games like “peek a boo”, “pat a cake”, and “This little piggy”.
    • Make funny faces and sounds like “moooo” or ”putt, putt, putt”.
    • Sing songs with actions and fun sounds like “Wheels on the Bus”/“Old MacDonald ”.
    • Dance and sing your favourite songs with your baby.
  • Use interesting, simple words like ‘wee’, ‘oops’, ‘wow’.
  • Add actions to words (e.g., say “hi” and “bye” while waving).
  • Let your baby play with bright picture books, board books, touch and feel books, and bathtub and rhyming books.
  • Remember that she needs time to coo and babble without a soother in her mouth.

Where to go get help

For more information about how speech-language pathologists and audiologists can help, contact:

  • Your doctor, public health nurse, or other health provider
  • Your local health centre
  • Visit the Talk Box - A parent guide to creating language rich environments​
Current as of: October 30, 2023
Author: Allied Health, Speech, Language, Hearing and Audiology, Alberta Health Services

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This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.

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