Talk Training: reward baby talk/attempted vocalization?

[meroula]

Hello
Our 6 month old CAG Gracie is starting to mimic some language (I think) but it's more the mumbling/grumbling noise. Many times she uses the same inflection I use when i speak a phrase to her which is why i believe she is trying to say it. I have been rewarding her for doing it, but I worry that she will think the noise she makes when she gets rewarded is all i want her to do. I have read that this repetition is not the best way for them to learn to talk so i do also converse with her and explain things in context. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

[Lisa B]

Morning Mary.
what your little one is doing, is completely normal. they mumble ALOT before learning to speak. They are practicing tones and words and one day you will be shocked as a clear word comes out when you least expect it. There really isnt anything you can do to move the process along..its just normal progression. With or without verbal praise, words will come out...so my personal opionion is to use the verbal praise with something that you will need to teach...

you are doing an excellent job. they learn from us explaining to them. Just talk to her like you would a child and things will happen on their own.....
they are much smarter then given credit for.

[kins23]

always encourage the baby talk!As a baby, they LOVE catchy phrases! Sophie, LOVES to say.... kutchikutchie kooooo! She loves to dial her imaginary phone, imitate all of us....(to perfection!) She will dial a seven digit number, carry on a conversation, Laugh, etc. I reminded her once, she didn't say goodbye.... she started from scratch, made sure she said goodbye! LOL Nancy M

[Raven21901]

Taboo is very polite with his imaginary phone calls. He dials the phone, says hello, sometimes in a womans voice he will say. "there's nobody there." but when he says hello, how are you doing, thank you, your welcome. bye. I am learning alot about his previous owners because I think it is conversations they have had. He will laugh during the conversation. One time I think he was imitating the father talking to the son and he said. "Hello, about time you did something, your welcome goodbye." He sounded angry when he said it. lol Other times he calls the woman to the phone. He has renamed me the previous. I am now Cynthia and my husband is Michael, the previous owner. He calls us and will have conversations. I keep telling him we are not them but he keeps insisting we are. He told me I was wrong, that I was Cynthia. lol. He likes to growl like a dog at my husband and bark at him.

Originally Posted by kins23

always encourage the baby talk!As a baby, they LOVE catchy phrases! Sophie, LOVES to say.... kutchikutchie kooooo! She loves to dial her imaginary phone, imitate all of us....(to perfection!) She will dial a seven digit number, carry on a conversation, Laugh, etc. I reminded her once, she didn't say goodbye.... she started from scratch, made sure she said goodbye! LOL Nancy M