0mo–11mo8 minQuiet timeMealtime
Copycat Babble Chat
A short, face-to-face sound game where the adult copies the baby's vocalisations and leaves pauses to encourage turn-taking.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a comfortable spot to sit with your child (cushion/blanket)
- one safe, simple baby toy (soft toy or rattle)
Nice to have
- a baby-safe mirror
- a phone timer
Movement level: low
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneTakes turns making soundsHeart· 4mo–8mo· core
- MilestoneVocalizes back during interactionHeart· 2mo–8mo· core
- MilestonePlays simple back-and-forth gamesHeart· 6mo–14mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneBabbles conversationallyMind· 8mo–15mo· stretch
- MilestoneResponds to a speaking personHeart· 0mo–14mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneProduces reduplicated babbleMind· 5mo–10mo· stretch
What it practices
- Communicates needs and feelings in a variety of ways including crying, gurgling, babbling and squealing.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Makes own sounds in response when talked to by familiar adults.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Practises and gradually develops speech sounds (babbling) to communicate with adults; says sounds like ‘baba, nono, gogo’.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Lifts arms in anticipation of being picked up.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Encourage babies’ sounds and babbling by copying their sounds in a turn-taking ‘conversation’.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)