One run of syllables, over and over

Somewhere around four months, babbling may begin, and it tends to take on the rhythms and characteristics of the language it has been hearing. Saying one easy run of syllables, over and over, during something you were doing anyway puts a lot of that within earshot — and a baby who only watches your mouth and gives nothing back is doing the whole activity.

🛡️ Leaning in close is the whole point, so keep it somewhere they cannot fall from: the floor, or the changing table with one hand on baby for every second you are there. Once a roll is possible at all, the first one comes without warning, and a bed or a sofa is never somewhere to lay them down for this.