When should I start teaching DD stuff?

[LuckySalem]

DD is 5 months old and I know probably too early but.....

When do I start teaching her things.. I mean like if I want something I say "ta" when she gives it to me, is this too young to be doing this?
Also if she starts crying, I look away until she stops then pick her up and deal with whatever's wrong - although at the moment, this only works when she's tired and wants bed.

I'm just really aware that I don't want her to grow up into an unruly child (I know terrible 2's etc)

I agree that your baby will learn to speak and act the way you do. I did the whole 'say ta' thing to little effect but ds (23 months) learnt to say thanks (well, 'sanks'), because that's what he heard me saying. He also says sorry if he bumps into someone or knocks something over - again because I say sorry when I bump into him.

My son lost speach
I have learntthat babbling is important from trying to re establish his speech.
just sing and talk and engage with your baby - everything else comes when it will.
the babbling satge is important so don't feel you have to use grown up words but nor do you need to do that 'ta' thing.
Your child will respond to the sing song and rhythm of your voice and to your facial expressions so just caht and play and all will come naturally.

Baby talk by Sally Ward is a good book for the basics if you still feel unsure.

Finally NEVER EVER ration eye contact with a baby.!!! EVER

My son has autism. the first symptom was his dropping eye contact. I am not saying by withdrawing eye contact you will 'creat' autism. But the exchange between child and parent during eye contact is HUGELY important and should never be withdrawn until the are old enough to understand.

I agree with most of the replies - if you want to read etc to your baby, then do it, but dont stress over it. My DD is 6 months and we have lots of soft books but I just read them when I feel like it, I wouldnt make myself do it as iit then becomes a chore.

Also, I feel sorry for babies who are ignored like that. It is fine to try and distract your child if they are crying and there isnt anything wwrong with them, ie play with them, talk to them, sing, make them laugh rather than picking them up, But I would never ignore a baby. If I couldnt distract them, I would then give a cuddle.

Eye contact is a verry important part of parenting and bonding.

Agree, rythm is so important. My DS2, 14 month old, can 'sing' twinkle twinkle, not by saying the words (obviously) but by 'ba ba ba' ing the rythm. He says thank you (except it's another 'ba bou' and other 'words' that are based on rythm instead of sound.

It is very interesting, isn't it?

I really try to see it not as 'teaching' but just playing. Sometimes we run out of ideas so I bought 'games to play with babies' and 'games to play with toddlers' and it gave us loads of ideas. They are available on NCT website.