Serve and return describes the back-and-forth exchanges in which a baby sends a signal, such as a babble, look or gesture, and an adult responds with words, a smile or touch. Harvard's Center on the Developing Child describes these interactions as essential for building the architecture of the developing brain.
How do I do it?
The Center on the Developing Child suggests five steps:
- Notice the serve and share your child's focus of attention
- Return the serve by supporting and encouraging
- Give it a name: label what your child is seeing, doing or feeling
- Take turns and wait for your child to respond
- Practise endings and beginnings: notice when your child is ready to move on
