Listen for Your Baby’s Name

1. 1

   Choose three to five photos of your baby and place them on the same wall at home.

2. 2

   Hold your baby near the closest photo. Gently say their name as you move toward it: “Where are you?”

3. 3

   Repeat the name softly and make eye contact whenever you find another photo. This back-and-forth helps connect the familiar sound with your baby’s emerging sense of self.

4. 4

   If they respond with a look or movement, point and say, “You know that name. Look—there you are!”

5. 5

   At each new picture, smile, say your baby’s name, and add, “We found you!” Pause so they can study the image.

6. 6

   Describe what is happening in the picture or share a short memory from when it was taken, drawing attention to familiar people and features.

What to notice

• Looks toward you on hearing their name Sense of Identity and Belonging
• Reaches toward the photo and waits to hear you talk about it Communicating and Speaking

Tips

• Make the interaction more engaging by saying your baby’s name in a cheerful voice and adding an expressive gesture to catch their attention.

Developmental benefits

• Social/Emotional: Hearing their name repeatedly while looking at their own photo helps your baby begin connecting the name with themselves.
• Language: Responding when your baby shows interest in a photo and describing its people and actions gives them practice joining an everyday exchange.