4-8 Months: Baby Talk -- Observation Record

How does the baby show she's beginning to understand words, gestures, and daily routines?

Even though babies don't understand what is actually being said, they begin to show they do understand the meaning when their caregivers communicate with words combined with gestures and expression. They respond more readily to words and gestures that are used repeatedly during daily routines.

The baby might do one or more of the following:

• Recognize her name–look toward a familiar person who calls her name.
• Show pleasure–coo and laugh delightedly when you play a happy game with her, such as patty-cake.
• Answer you–raise her arms when a caregiver holds out her hands and says, "Down?"
• Understand your tone–look worried when she hears someone using a stern voice.
• Help out–lift up her legs when she is on the changing table and you ask, "Ready for a clean diaper?"

How does this baby show understanding of tone and gestures? (Include dates.)

How does the baby use sounds and gestures to communicate?

Babies use sounds and gestures for their own enjoyment and pleasure, and to share what they feel or want. They also use sounds and gestures to invite or direct an adult's attention. Their babbling sounds have begun to take on the music of the language spoken to them by caregivers during daily routines.

The baby might do one or more of the following:

• Use sounds–delight in her new ability to smack her lips, squeal on purpose, or repeat a consonant sound over and over.
• Cut off contact–look away when she has had enough activity or conversation.
• Tell you it's tasty–smile and coo when she is fed something she likes to eat.
• Sing along–vocalize to the song being sung to her.
• Participate in back-and-forth–smile and make sounds that mimic the tones of voices and the inflections she hears when people talk to her.

What are some of the ways this baby uses sounds to communicate? (Include dates.)