Telephone Chat

What you'll need

Parent and baby seated facing each other on floor or at a table. Any handheld object available to use as a 'phone'. Baby should be alert and in a playful mood.

How it works

1. 1~30s

   Start by picking up your object and holding it to your ear like a phone. Say 'Ring ring! Hello?' in an animated voice. Then offer your child the object and say, 'It's for you!' Watch how your child takes it. Does they hold it to their ear or face? Does they seem to understand this is a pretend phone, or does they just examine it as an object? Tell me what you notice.

   Watch for: Baby uses an object symbolically — holding it to ear like a phone rather than just manipulating it as an object.

2. 2~35s

   Now let's have a conversation! Hold your 'phone' to your ear and say, 'Hello your child! How are you?' Then pause and look expectantly at them. After a few seconds, say, 'Oh really? Tell me more!' and pause again. Watch if your child responds during your pauses — with babbling, gestures, or facial expressions. Does they seem to understand this is a back-and-forth exchange?

   Watch for: Baby participates in conversational turn-taking during pretend phone play — vocalizing or responding during parent's pauses.

3. 3~40s

   Let's extend the play! Pretend to have different conversations — maybe call grandma, order pizza, or talk about diaper changes (since that's a familiar routine). Say things like, 'Oh, you need a clean diaper? Okay, we'll change it!' Watch your child's reactions. Does they engage with different scenarios? Does they try to 'hand you the phone' or involve you in their play? Tell me how your child participates.

   Watch for: Baby engages in extended pretend play with the object, showing reasoning about its use in different scenarios.

Visual example