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Why do it?
- Baby will like gazing at faces and watching how your mouth moves while you talk.
- Baby is learning to match sound and mouth shape.
- Baby may try to copy your mouth and make a sound.
- Baby can learn to take turns making sounds with you. This is the start of having a conversation.
How to do it
- Make sure baby is fed, comfortable and ready for some social time before starting the activity.
- Hold or place baby so their face and your face are about 30 cm apart.
- Use ‘parentese’ when you talk to baby (speak more slowly, exaggerate your mouth and eye movements and speak in a higher pitch).
- Pause and keep looking at baby, as though you are inviting them to reply.
- Make another comment and wait for them to respond.
- If baby makes a sound, try copying them.
- Watch closely for any sign that baby needs a break.
Using more reo Māori
Kanohi ki te kanohi |
Face to face |
Kōrero |
Talk |
Waiata |
Sing |
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Whakarongo mai |
Listen |
Tāruatia taku reo |
Copy my sounds |
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Titiro mai pēpi |
Look here baby |
Ka menemene koe? |
Are you smiling? |
Kei te kōrero koe ki a Pāpā? |
Are you talking to Daddy? |
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Aue, he aha tō mate? |
Oh dear, what’s wrong? |
Kei te ngenge koe? |
Are you tired? |
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He ātaahua hoki koe |
You look beautiful |
Kātahi nā te pēpi mōhio ko koe |
What a clever baby you are |
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Anei tō waha |
Here’s your mouth |
Anei ō karu kakariki |
Here are your green eyes |
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