How do I talk with a baby who can't talk yet?
Harvard's Center on the Developing Child calls it serve and return: when your baby coos, points or looks at you, answer with your eyes, your words and a smile, then wait for them to reply. Describe what you see and do through the day. These small back-and-forth moments matter more than any flashcard.
Checked October 29, 2026.
Asked by families like yours and answered by Peabody editors. How we write and check. For your own child, your pediatrician knows best.
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Sources
- Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University: 5 Steps for Brain-Building Serve and Return (checked October 29, 2026)