- Define baby talk: Ask the child to identify when you are or aren’t using baby talk. Then ask how he knows. Write down a definition of what is happening when baby talk is being used (specifically write down what the child is doing). Include things like high pitch of voice, distorted vowels, leaving sounds off of words, reduplicated syllables, or anything else the child is doing. Talk about why it is not good for us to use baby talk (people think you’re a little kid, people won’t let you do as much stuff, friends won’t want to play with you, etc.)
- Intentional baby talk: Have the child practice using “baby talk” using all of the rules mentioned before. Contrast this with “normal talk” and have him demonstrate both in single sentences.
- Identify when baby-talk happens: During play, set a buzzer near the activity and instruct the child to hit the buzzer when he hears baby talk, either from himself or from you (do it intentionally so he can catch you). If he doesn’t catch himself, point it out to him.
- Correct baby-talk: During play, when the child catches himself or you catch him, have him switch to normal talk instead of using the baby talk.
- Use a signal: Come up with a signal that you and other adults can use to remind the child not to use his baby talk.
- Generalization: Encourage all adults to use the signal to remind the child not to use baby talk.
