Cooing
Here's What To Do
1
During daily activities, play a game using vowel sounds.
- Say "ah," "eee," "uh," or "oh" using an exaggerated facial expression.
- Pause for a few seconds and see if I will copy you or make a different sound.
- Keep the game going by repeating the same sound or making a new one.
- Try saying the same sound in different ways (high pitched, low pitched, quiet, loud), and see how I respond.
2
When you hear me "coo" throughout the day, pretend I'm using real words and respond back to me with words or by copying my sounds.
3
Let me have quiet time to practice making new sounds. A lot of babies practice "cooing" while falling asleep or when waking up.
Put PEER Into Action
P
Pause:
- Place me so I can easily see your face while we play the game. You can try doing this activity in a "tummy time" position to help me strengthen my muscles while we play.
E
Engage:
- "Aaaaah. Can you say 'aaaaah'?"
- "Listen to all the ways I can say 'oooo'! First I'll say it really high (high voice) oooo. Now I'll say it low (low voice). Now I'll sing it (singing) ooooo. Can you say 'ooooo?'"
E
Encourage:
- When I say "Oooo," pretend I'm using real words and respond back to me with words. "Oh yes, you are playing with your puppy stuffie!"
- Sometimes, copy my cooing sounds. When I say "eeeee," say "eeeee" back to me.
R
Reflect:
- What kinds of "coos" do I make throughout the day?
Not quite ready?
Encourage me to experiment with making different sounds by using your finger to gently pat or open and close my lips.
Ready for more?
See if I will copy more complex vowel sounds like "ah-ee" or "oo-ee."
As your child masters this skill...
They will be able to make a variety of vowel sounds.