How your baby develops
From about 12 months
• Tell your baby what you are doing in your everyday activities, but always allow time for their response.
• Play simple games that involve taking turns, such as like layering your hands with theirs to make a 'hand sandwich'.
Baby signing
Towards the end of your baby's first year, when they are trying to talk and have started using gestures - such as pointing - to explain what they want, you could try teaching them a basic form of sign-language. For example, if you are offering the baby some milk, make a sign for milk as you say the word.
After a few attempts, the baby will generally start to mimic the action and may go on to use it when they want milk in future.