Even before a baby develops the ability to say their first word, they're communicating with you 🩵 Research on contingent responsiveness shows that small back-and-forth exchanges — little coos, babbles, and other noises — are how babies build neural pathways for language. Those noises and the response they generate (from you!) are how babies begin to develop their attachment, emotional regulation, and language centers of the brain. Which means that listening and responding to your baby's babble is one of the most valuable things you can do. Their coos, and your coos back, are their first practice at the back-and-forth cadence of conversation. They don't need you to entertain them by making noises. They need your presence and engagement, and to experience the feeling of your attention and response 🩵 - @guidepostmontessori