My Name Is Special
Prep:聽10 minutes | Activity Time: 3鈥5 Minutes
As you talk and sing to your baby, she is listening to the sounds of language and connecting them with words. One of the first words your baby will understand is her name. Help your baby make important sound connections by providing opportunities for your baby to hear and see her name.
- 12-inch fabric, foam, wood, etc. letters spelling your baby鈥檚 name
Step 1: Everyday routines, like changing, bathing, feeding and rocking, provide endless opportunities to talk to your baby. As you talk, use your baby鈥檚 name often. As you鈥檙e changing a diaper, you might say:聽
鈥淚 see Ava! Where鈥檚 Ava? There she is!鈥澛
Step 2: Hang your baby鈥檚 name with large, brightly colored letters made from fabric, foam or wood on the wall above the crib or changing table. As babies look around and focus on objects, they will enjoy exploring the brightly colored letters with their eyes!聽
Step 3: Bring your child鈥檚 visual attention to the name on the wall as you say it and talk about it. When your baby is lying on the back on a changing table or in the crib, you might say:聽
鈥淭his says Ava.鈥疶hat鈥檚 your name! You鈥檙e our precious Ava.鈥疻e love Ava鈥痵ooooo much!鈥澛
Step 4: Try singing a song to your baby using the name. Your baby doesn鈥檛 mind if you make up a silly song. Babies love hearing your voice and the sound of their names. You can even change the words to a popular lullaby. For example, try changing the words to Fr茅re Jacques聽using your baby鈥檚 name. It might sound like this:聽
鈥淚 see Ava.鈥疘 see Ava.聽
Yes, I do! Yes, I do!聽
She鈥檚 our lovely little girl,聽
She鈥檚 our lovely little girl,聽
Yes, she is! Yes, she is!鈥澛
Step 5: As your baby grows and develops during the first few months, watch for signs of name recognition. For example, babies may begin to smile when they hear their name.聽