This is a noise-making machine.
There's no two ways about it.
It cries and coos and groans and gurgles
And keeps you awake with the noises it makes.
And yet, you couldn't live without it.
This is a copying machine, hardwired to do as I do.
When they 'ahh' and 'mmm' and 'ooh', try doing it too,
Because these are the building blocks of language,
The foundations of chat and gossip and banter.
This baby is talking from day one.
And the thing is, it's not English,
And you might feel a fool to begin with,
But chat back, press on,
Because these special sounds are stepping stones to precious speech.
This is where relationship comes from.
This bundle of joy is a nappy-wrapped packet of untapped potential.
The parental role is essential.
Because if you can make noises, you can make words.
And if you can make words, you can take on the world.
Babies are Noise Machines, hard-wired to copy their parents.
So when your baby starts to make noises, try and copy them, as their babbles are the stepping stones to language.
Playing copycat teaches babies that conversation is about taking turns to express yourself, so listen to this dad's poetic advice.
This bundle of joy is a nappy wrapped packet of untapped potential.
