ABSTRACT
Babies reach out and connect with their world instantly, from the first cries and eye contact and then to the development of babble and eventually single words. This ability is not something that will develop on its own. Evidence shows that there is a crucial time (also known as the critical period) when children are able to learn language at an astonishing rate and that after this period has passed, language acquisition becomes much more difficult. Educators must ensure that they give children the best possible start to their language journey by encouraging all forms of communication and providing an environment and experiences that support this area of development. The easiest way to support young children's communication and language abilities is to talk to them. It is easy to bring literacy into all aspects of a baby's day. With a few simple enhancements, practitioners are able to support babies' emerging interest in sounds, words and language.
