These simple few words are effective even when the conversation is with a very young child. The more you know your baby, the more conversation you can engage in, with very few, if any, exchanged words.

A young child, not even a year old, can respond effectively to your question. They will articulate with facial expressions, sounds, their hands, even their feet, to convey their needs. Often we forget to even ask the question, and both mother and child are riddled with frustration, neither’s needs being met.

When the going gets tough, take a breath and ask the question, gently to your child, “What do you need?”