Which activity is NOT recommended to support language development in infants from birth to 8 months?

Ignoring a baby’s babbling is not recommended because responding to babbling is crucial for language development. Babies communicate through sounds before they can form words, and engaging with them during these vocalizations encourages further attempts at communication. It signals to the infant that their attempts to communicate are acknowledged and valued, fostering a supportive environment for language skills to develop.

In contrast, activities like providing bright, high-contrast pictures, reading books with stories, and playing with sound-making toys actively stimulate an infant’s visual and auditory senses. These interactions help promote language development by enhancing vocabulary, improving listening skills, and encouraging an understanding of language structure. Engaging with infants in these ways not only nurtures their cognitive growth but also strengthens the bond between caregiver and child.