Turn Toward the Sound

1. 1

   Lay your baby comfortably on the bed. Mom moves close and softly calls your baby’s name to attract their attention.

2. 2

   When your baby turns toward her voice, Mom responds warmly: “You found Mom!”

3. 3

   Next, Dad calls from the other side and waits to see whether your baby turns their head toward his voice.

4. 4

   Like a gentle game of hide-and-seek, Mom can quietly move to a new position and call again, inviting your baby to find where the sound is coming from.

5. 5

   Pause after each call and try a few different playful sounds.

What to notice

• Hears your voice and turns their head toward the sound Gross Motor
• Listens closely to where the sound is coming from Cognitive Self-Regulation (Executive Functioning)

Tips

• Try this little interaction during everyday routines too. Before a diaper change or feeding, softly call your baby’s name or say a few words and see whether they turn toward you.

Developmental benefits

• Movement: Turning toward your voice from different directions gives your baby practice controlling head movement in relation to sounds around them.