Babies learn to talk long before they say their first word. Therefore, both you and your partner should talk to your baby, right from birth. Listening to and becoming familiar with the sounds of language help your baby's brain get ready to speak. Try to talk to your baby as you feed, change, dress, soothe, bathe or play with her. For example, you can describe what you're doing, or put what you think she is feeling into words.

Try to look at and smile at your baby, and be expressive and animated when you're talking to him. When your baby starts to make sounds, try to repeat them and add to them. For example, if your baby says "ba-ba," you can make it into a word, like "bye-bye" and wave as you say it.

Another way to prepare your child to speak is to talk about things your baby is seeing as you go through your daily routine. For instance, on a walk you could point out the leaves on a tree or children playing. And as your baby begins to reach for objects, repeat the name of what she is reaching for.

It's also a good idea to read lots of stories and rhymes to your baby, and sing songs. It doesn't matter if your baby doesn't understand the words. The more he hears language, the more easily he will learn it.

Don't think you can speed things up or avoid having to talk to your baby by playing tapes or the radio. It's just not the same. Your baby needs warm interaction with you, the expression in your voice and the smile on your face in order to feel secure enough to learn. So, when listening to tapes or the radio, join in. Sing along, talk back to the radio and dance with your baby to the music.