At 6 months, your baby is learning more about communication. Your baby may be babbling,
and it may sometimes sound like adult speech. This shows that your baby is paying attention to you!
You may be able to call your baby's attention to something through a word or gesture. You may even
be able to do this when the object is some distance away. This is the start of an important
part of communication called joint attention. Your baby is also better able to communicate with
you. She may communicate through facial expressions, sounds, and touch. That gentle patting of
your hand or face may mean "I want your attention!" Each baby is unique. Some babies are very
responsive to faces, voices, and interaction. Other babies may feel a bit overwhelmed by too
much stimulation; these babies may need a quieter approach from an adult.
Respond to your baby's babbling by babbling back. Babbling or taking turns "talking"
together may be very exciting for your baby; it should also encourage him to babble more!
Adapted from Healthy Steps. Edited and Compiled by the Center for Promotion of Child Development Through Primary Care 2011
