Early Communication Signals

1. 1

   A question-and-response rhythm gives your baby early experience with taking turns in a conversation.

2. 2

   Describe what they are doing as a question: “What are you looking at?” or “What are you playing with?”

3. 3

   Pause for the next look, expression, gesture, movement, or sound. Any of these can be your baby’s answer.

4. 4

   Build on that response. If they hold up a toy, say, “Is that for Mom? Thank you!”

5. 5

   Pause again so your baby has another opening to respond and the exchange can continue.

What to notice

• Communicates with you through movements, eye contact, facial expressions, or sounds Communicating and Speaking
• Looks at you and smiles while you talk, showing interest in the exchange Relationships with Adults

Tips

• These questions are invitations to interact, not requests for a spoken answer. A look, expression, movement, or sound is already part of the conversation.
• Early question-and-response exchanges give your baby experience using another person to explore a new word, object, or answer.

Developmental benefits

• Language: When you ask and your baby responds with a look, sound, or action, the repeated turn-taking helps them experience a question as an invitation for an answer.