There are so many sounds we automatically attach to a specific feeling or emotion. You probably do many of these already (without even thinking about it!) but it was fun to focus on such sounds for a day with Veronika. Your budding communicator may start to make these sounds back, even before words form.

So when she was happy today, we said, “hurray!”

When I bounced her up and down or she spun around, we said, “whee!”

Then there was a big “oh no!” when her favorite stuffed animal fell down.

And a “mmm mmm” for meals and snacks.

And of course a sleepy “aaah” yawn sound around naptime.

Connecting these sounds to emotions can help your little one connect the dots with what he or she is feeling, and help ease frustration in expressing emotions.

Plus saying “hurray” is always just fun.