Bath time is a great opportunity to help your baby's language development. Your child has your undivided attention, making it a great time to talk, play and enjoy each other's company. Here are some ideas to try.

Name items
Engage your child's attention and name the bath items you use (e.g. "soap", "water", "shampoo.") You could name your child's body parts as you wash or dry them.

Describe items
Talk about the colours of bath items (e.g. "white towel") and how they feel (e.g. "soft bath towel", "slippery soap.") Count you child's body parts as you wash them (e.g. "one nose", "one leg, two legs.")

Compare items
Engage your child's attention and compare the size of different bath items, or talk about opposites (e.g. "Look. The towel is bigger than the flannel." "You are dirty but the soap will make you clean.")

Explain what you are doing
Taking a bath involves a predictable series of events. Talk about what you are doing now as well as what you will do later. (e.g. "Now you'll have a bath. Then we'll put on your clothes." Talk about things that go together (e.g. "shampoo and hair"), and use lots of action words (e.g. "We're washing your tummy." "You're kicking your legs.")

Give directions
By giving your child simple directions in the bath, you will help him to learn spatial concepts. (e.g. "Tilt your head back." "Sit down." Put the duck under the water.")

Based on the chapters 'At the supermarket' and 'Around the home' in How to talk to your baby by Dorothy, P. Dougherty, Avery, 1999.