Say or sing made-up rhymes or songs while stroking or pointing to the babies' hands, feet or cheeks.
Respond to and build on babies' expressions, actions, and gestures.
Find out what babies like and dislike through talking to their parents.
Self-confidence and Self-esteem
Recognise that young babies will find comfort from 'snuggling in' with a variety of objects and people.
Talk to a young baby when you cannot give them your direct attention, so that they are aware of your interest and your presence nearby.
Making Relationships
Ensure that the key person is available to greet a young baby at the beginning of the session, and to hand them over to parents at the end of a session, so that the young baby is supported appropriately and communication with parents is maintained.
Engage in playful interactions that encourage young babies to respond to, or mimic, adults.
Ensure all staff have detailed information about the home language experiences of all children.
When you talk to babies, make sure you are face to face.
It's important to share quiet moments together. Babies enjoy the intimacy of being close and looking at each other. They are learning about people and themselves as they do so.
Comment when babies move or make sounds, for example, when a baby burps, say "Do you feel better now?".
Touch is very important. Stroking, tickling and cuddles all help babies to become aware of you and enjoy being with you and listening to you.
Keep close and encourage babies to feel or look at your face. Let them feel your lips when you're talking or making play noises. Young babies find faces very interesting.
Copy the sounds, mouth movements and facial expressions that babies use. Sometimes they'll start to copy you too.
Copy any sounds and gestures babies make while they're watching you.
Watch out for how babies show frustration or discomfort and for how this changes once they're comforted or satisfied. When babies cry, lift them up and reassure them.
Rock babies rhythmically to songs and music.
Watch out for how babies show that they've had enough and want to stop interaction. They may start to cry, stiffen, lean away from you or close their eyes and mouth. Give the two of you a break – they will show you when they're ready to play again.
Call a baby's name gently as you approach them and say "Up you come!". Wait to see if they can show you that they want to be picked up.
'Mirror' a baby's feelings through your voice intonation, body movement and facial expressions. This shows them that you are 'tuning in' to their moods.
Behaviour and Self-control
Find out as much as you can from parents about young babies before they join the setting, so that the routines you follow are familiar and comforting.
Self-care
Encourage babies gradually to share control of food and drink. This provides opportunities for sensory learning and increased independence.
Sense of Community
Talk to babies about the different people and places they know.
Tell a young baby what you think they like about another person, for example, "Here is your brother, Matty. You like him because he tickles you, don't you?".
Acknowledgements
Disclaimer
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