Respond to Every Little Sound
Talk, make expressive faces, and respond to whatever your baby offers. These small back-and-forth moments can make interaction feel familiar, warm, and safe.
- 2 months
- No prep needed
- At home
- About 5 minutes
Developmental benefits
- Social/Emotional：Repeating a warm, responsive interaction helps your baby build a positive expectation of exchanges with familiar adults.
- Language：A close back-and-forth with sounds and faces encourages your baby to attend and respond to early communication.
Preparation
What You’ll Need
Step 1
Mom’s Voice
Sit face-to-face and make a long, simple sound. Wait for your baby. Whatever sound they make, echo it back once. After one or two turns, introduce a different sound while your baby is watching closely.
What to notice
- Smiles when they see you approach
Relationships with Adults - Makes a sound similar to yours in response
Communicating and Speaking
Tips
- Make eye contact during the exchange so your baby can notice both your face and voice.
- If your baby does not vocalize yet, gently place their hand near your lips or throat so they can feel the vibration while you make a soft sound.
- After each sound, become quiet and wait. Your baby may need extra time to take it in and respond.
Step 2
Dad’s Faces
Dad joins with a few clear expressions—a smile, a pout, or a tongue out. Pause long enough for your baby to study each face. When their expression changes, copy it and let the exchange continue.
What to notice
- Looks closely at your face Relationships with Adults
- Attempts to copy one of your facial movements
Imitation and Symbolic Representation and Play
Tips
- At two months, your baby may react to or attempt parts of a familiar adult’s facial movement without understanding the emotion behind it.
- Hold one expression for several seconds so your baby has time to look and respond.
- Interact about 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) from your baby’s face, where a two-month-old can see you most clearly.
Step 3
Everyone Takes a Turn
When your baby waves a hand, gently hold it and wave together while you talk. Pause and watch for another sound or movement, then respond to that new turn.
What to notice
- Smiles while you talk to them Relationships with Adults
- Moves a hand as if responding to you Communicating and Speaking
Tips
- Use the warm jokes, sounds, and playful phrases that feel natural in your family.
- A two-month-old may attend to only one face at a time. Looking away from you does not mean they are ignoring you.
- One caregiver can create the same back-and-forth interaction, or family members can switch roles naturally.
Better Parenting Content Team · Updated September 11, 2026