skip to main content

Talk With Me

Begin a conversation that prepares your baby for lifelong learning.

Children who have parents talking with them are put on a path towards better development. Produced by ReadyRosie and Howard County Public School System.

← Back to Talk With Me! Howard County

Transcript

[ ♪ (Upbeat music) ♪ ]

[ Photos of parents playing with their babies and toddlers appear. The words “Tune In; Adjust; Listen; Kiss & Cuddle; Wait; Imitate; Take Turns; Have Fun; Meaningful Moments; Everyday” appear along the right-hand side of the screen. The first letter of each word/phrase becomes highlighted spelling out “Talk With Me”. ]

[ Superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano (a.k.a. “grandfather”) with his laptop open. His grandchild climbs up to see him. ]

( Dr. Martiarno speaking playfully) Oh my, what do you want? I’m working. Ok, I’m going to put this computer away and talk to you. Hi Leo!

[ The words “Tune In” are displayed. ]

( Narrator ) Turn off your device and be present.

( Dr. Martiarno) Want to play?

[ Scene change. A mother and her son are playing together while he explores a toy kitchen. ]

( Mother ) Do you like to eat pizza?

( Narrator ) Watch for a child’s cues and interests.

[ The boy opens the toy refrigerator. ]

( Mother ) Let’s look in the fridge. Nothing in the fridge.

[ Scene change. A father and his toddler son, Grant, are holding hands in front of a slide at the park. The father points to the different play equipment as he speaks. ]

( Father ) Alright, Grant, while we’re at the park today, what do you want to play on?

( Narrator ) Observe what your child is doing.

[ Grant points to the slide. ]

( Father ) You want to play on the slide? Alright, cool.

[ Scene change. A mother and son, Eli, both lay on a blanket with their bellies aimed at the floor. The mother arches her head and neck back. ]

( Mother ) Look at those arms. You’re using your muscles. Good job!

[ The word “Adjust” is displayed. ]

( Narrator ) Adjust your response to suit your baby or toddler by varying your voice, behavior, language, and activity.

( Mother ) Goodness, look at that neck! You’re stretching! - Oh, what a good stretch.

[ Scene change. A mother bounces her baby on her knees. ]

( Mother ) One, two, three&ellip; Boom!

[ The baby moves upwards and squeals joyfully. ]

[ The word “Listen” is displayed. ]

( Narrator ) Listen to your baby’s or toddler’s attempts to communicate.

[ The baby moves upwards and squeals joyfully again. ]

( Mother ) Was that fun? You’re laughing!

[ Scene change. A mother holding her recently bathed baby while they choose clothes from the closet. ]

( Narrator ) Look for opportunities to start a conversation.

[ The mother pulls down another shirt and shows it to the child. ]

( Mother ) Oh! Look at this nice blue one with the turtle! What do you think? Should we put this one on for today?

[ Scene change. A mother holding and speaking to her infant son in their home. He is sitting upright on her lap while she is sitting in a position that always the boy to look easily back to her. ]

( Mother ) Two hands on my big boy, and Mommy’s got two hands.

[ The words “Kiss & Cuddle” are displayed. ]

( Narrator ) Communication is most powerful when you are face-to-face.

( Mother ) You can’t see my feet, but I have two feet.

[ Scene change. A mother holding and speaking to her infant son in front of a mirror. ]

( Narrator ) Remember touch is a silent language.

[ Scene change. A mother lays her young child on the floor to change their diaper. She covers her face with the clean diaper. ]

( Mother ) Peek-a–boo!

[ The word “Wait” is displayed. ]

( Narrator ) It’s important to give your child time to respond.

[ The baby laughs while she is playing. ]

( Mother ) Peek-a–boo!

[ Scene change. A young toddler is sitting in a highchair. Her mother is putting small cereal pieces on her tray. They start counting the number of cereal pieces together.]

( Toddler ) One.

( Mother ) One.

[ The word “Imitate” is displayed. ]

( Narrator ) Repeating your child’s sounds, words, and actions, and letting them repeat after you, is one of the most important tools for simple language learning.

( Mother ) And five&ellip; Want to eat one.

[ Scene change. A father, making rocket sounds, lifts his baby up, gently rocks her, and lowers her down so their noses touch. ]

[ The words “Take Turns” are displayed. ]

( Narrator ) Use simple sounds, babbling, words, and sentences and take turns in conversation adapting with every stage of your child’s life.

( Father ) What else?

[ Scene change. Two parents play with their three children (two toddler, one baby) in the older children’s bedroom. The baby is laying on the floor while everyone else sings to him. ]

[ The words “Have Fun!” are displayed. ]

( Narrator ) Sing simple songs and rhymes and read playful books.

[ The family continues singing while tickling the baby. ]

[ Scene change. A father with his infant girl on the floor. ]

( Father ) Look how strong you’re getting. Yeah!

[ The father laughs while flexing, stretching, and pumping her legs. ]

( Father ) You stretch your legs. Yeah. You ride a bicycle. Yeah!

( Narrator ) Be silly, lively, and positive.

[ The father gently claps the infant’s feet together. ]

( Father ) Say, “Yaaay!”

[ Scene change. A mother helping her young toddler to brush their teeth. ]

( Mother ) The ones in the back. You’re trying to bite on it. Can we get the ones in the back?

[ The words “Meaningful Moments” are displayed. ]

( Narrator ) Talking can happen at any time - eating, bathing, car rides, shopping, waiting rooms, and more.

( Mother ) Come around to this side of your mouth. This side of your mouth wants to be clean too.

[ Scene change. A father having his young children help him sweep the kitchen floor. ]

( Father ) Want a turn with the broom.

( Older child ) Yeah.

[ The word “Everyday” is displayed. ]

( Narrator ) Even ordinary chores can be fun, exciting, and great opportunities for language learning.

[ The young toddler grabs the broom to help. ]

( Father ) Your such a big helper. There you go.

[ Scene change. Superintendent, Dr. Michael Martirano clapping and laughing with his grandchild. ]

( Dr. Martiarno) Is that funny?

[ Scene change. ♪ (Upbeat music) ♪ Photo montage of parents interacting with their children. ]

( Narrator ) Every family. Every child. Every language. Every day.