Dream Pillow—Lesson Four (Vocal Play)

From Skinnamarink and Saraponda to Dream Pillow Lullaby—our class this week was filled with a colorful palette of words, songs, and sounds. The babies even seemed to make their contribution to our sound environment with a little more than usual vocal play of babbling, cooing, and gurgling.

Playing with words in speech and song is a critical part of vocal development, which may begin as early as 5-7 months of age. This type of play allows babies to practice the precise coordination of lips, tongue, and breathing necessary to speak words. Since the ability to sing and the ability to converse with expressive speech are closely related, vocal play in songs, poems, and rhymes can help your baby develop both singing and speech skills.

Need a break from the norm? Try a little vocal play at home this week by breaking apart words of a song and repeating syllable sounds or singing/speaking slowly. Emphasize the movement of your mouth and lips; then wait and give your baby time to respond.

Skinnamarink to you,