From your child’s first coos to their first words—every moment matters.As a parent, you are your child’s first and most important teacher. You don’t need flashcards or fancy apps. Just talking, singing, reading and playing with your little one is enough to build the early brain connections they’ll need to talk, read and learn later on.

  

Talk with Your Child—Even Before They Can Talk Back

Even before they say their first word, babies are soaking up language. When you talk with your baby, you’re helping build their vocabulary and social skills. These little conversations teach your baby how to listen, take turns and express themselves.

• Pause after you say something and wait for your baby to respond with a sound or a look.
• Use your regular voice, but keep your tone warm and loving.
• Name things around you—“That’s a spoon!” or “Do you see the dog?”

Make Reading Part of Your Routine

One of the best things you can do to get your child ready for school is to read with them every day—even for just a few minutes.

• Start early! Read with your baby every day, even if they just want to hold the book or chew on it.
• Don’t worry about finishing every book. Focus on the fun.

Sing Songs and Say Rhymes

Babies love music, rhythm and repetition. Singing songs or saying rhymes together—like “Itsy Bitsy Spider” or “Twinkle Twinkle”—helps them hear how language works.

Routine Check Ups

Your little one learns through their senses and experiences. Their eyesight, which develops rapidly in early childhood, is a big part of how they explore, discover and connect with you and their other caregivers. And because they learn so much through their eyes, it’s important to make sure your child’s vision health is part of their regular check-ups.