“Can you saaaay maaaammaaaa? MaaaaMaaaa. MAAMAA. MA.MA.”
"Dada. Saaaay daaadaaa."
“Avocado! Yum yum yum. Mmmm AVO CA DO. Yummy in your tummy.”
“Who’s the cuuuuuteest baby in the world? YOUU AARRREEE!”
When adults talk to babies, they tend to naturally use an exaggerated, sing-song voice—what we call “baby talk.” Surprisingly, this style of speaking isn’t just cute; it’s actually great for babies' language development. Frequent verbal communication, gently directed at your infant, is one of the best ways to help their social skills and build a rich vocabulary. Though babies may not be able to respond verbally, they are actively listening and learning.
One of our favorite books (which we highly recommend) is Brain Rules for Baby by John Medina, a brain scientist and dad. Medina emphasizes that few activities are as beneficial for children's brains as talking to them. Frequent verbal interaction, especially from an early age, is essential for brain development.
Research tracking over 40 families for three years found that the quantity and variety of words spoken to children directly correlate with higher IQs. The study revealed two key findings: “The variety and number of words matter” and “Talking increases IQ” (Medina, 2010, p. 126). By age 3, children whose parents spoke more had IQs 1.5 times higher than those in less verbal households.
Talking to babies—even before they can respond—helps boost their linguistic abilities. The ideal goal is around 2,100 words per hour during wakeful times, with a focus on word variety, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, and so on. (This number may sound high, but remember, the average person hears or sees about 100,000 words a day!) Positive reinforcement, like imitating babies’ sounds or responding to their babbling, is also key. For example, if your baby makes a sound, try repeating it back! Babies love this back-and-forth interaction. Medina reminds us that “It takes a real live person to benefit your baby's brain,” underscoring the importance of face-to-face interaction, not screens (p. 127).
The Role of “Baby Talk” in Language Development
How parents speak to their babies matters. Using “baby talk,” or “parentese”—the high-pitched, singsong style described above—helps babies distinguish sounds and accelerates their language learning. Studies show that children whose parents engage in this type of speech from birth tend to speak their first words around 7 to 9 months and master grammar by age 2. These children also tend to excel in school, with many joining gifted programs by high school. The evidence is clear: frequent, varied, and positive speech nourishes a baby’s developing brain.
Direct Speech: Why It’s So Important
Research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) further shows that “only speech addressed directly to the infant, and not speech in adult conversations overheard by the child, facilitated vocabulary acquisition.” This means that babies learn best when speech is directed specifically at them.
But it’s not just about the number of words babies hear—it’s about how those words help them process and understand language. When babies are exposed to more language, they get more chances to practice understanding how speech works. They begin to recognize familiar words faster and learn how to break down speech into individual sounds and words. This ability to process language—like identifying words in a sentence—is a critical skill that helps babies learn new words more quickly.
In fact, babies who hear more language directed at them are better at recognizing words in real-time. This helps them form connections between sounds and meanings faster, speeding up vocabulary growth.
So, when you talk to your baby, it’s not just about giving them more words to hear. You’re giving them the opportunity to practice understanding and using those words, setting them up for quicker and easier language development.
The Emotional and Social Benefits of Talking to Your Baby
Babies also feel more secure when caregivers engage in consistent verbal communication. This strengthens emotional attachment and trust, both of which are essential for healthy brain development. The sound of a mom or dad’s voice in particular provides a source of comfort- loving words from you is their favorite sound!
In a fascinating study, researchers found that when children hear their mom’s voice, certain areas of their brain light up more than when they hear other voices. These areas include those responsible for hearing, emotions, rewards, self-awareness, and even recognizing faces. Children whose brains showed stronger connections between these regions when hearing their mom’s voice also had better social skills. This suggests that the way a child’s brain responds to their mother’s voice may play a key role in developing strong social abilities (Stanford Medicine, 2016).
Practical Tips for Talking to Your Baby
Here are a few easy, practical tips for maximizing the benefits of talking to your baby:
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Keep it simple: Don’t overthink it! Speak naturally and positively, just as you would when talking to anyone else. (But in “baby talk”, when possible.) Your baby will benefit from the sound of your voice, regardless of what you say.
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Narrate daily activities: Talk to your baby about what’s happening around them during everyday activities, such as feeding, bathing, or going for a walk. For example: “Now I’m folding the purple towel,” “This is my favorite song,” or “Look at that red bird in the tree!” “Let’s get in the car to go to grandma’s house.”
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Make eye contact and engage: Smile and respond warmly to your baby’s coos, babbling, or even crying. This helps foster emotional connection and encourages social development.
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Play interactive games: Simple games like Peek-a-boo or Pat-a-cake can be fun and stimulating for your baby. These games help them understand social cues and reinforce language learning and fun.
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Turn everyday objects into toys: Use things like plastic cups, containers, or wooden spoons as toys, and talk about them as you play. This helps your baby connect words to objects in their environment. “Here’s a wooden spoon. Can you bang the wooden spoon on the pan? Like this? Bang bang bang!”
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Sing and read daily: Singing to your baby and reading books regularly helps introduce them to new words and concepts that might not otherwise be brought up, broadening their vocabulary. (More on music and reading later!)
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Use a baby carrier: If you use a baby carrier, it can be easier to chat with your little one throughout your day. Whether you’re walking, working, or doing dishes, a carrier allows for close connection, making it easier for your baby to hear you and engage in learning.
Babywearing and talking to your baby have a lot in common! Both strengthen your bond, boost brain development, and promote physical and emotional well-being. This highlights an important truth: While parenting can be challenging, meaningful connection is what truly matters. By focusing on this, we can quiet the external noise and embrace the simplicity of bonding with our little ones.
Sources:
Medina, J. (2010). Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five. Pear Press.
National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). Talk, read, and sing with your child every day. Oklahoma State University. Retrieved December 20, 2024, from https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/talk-read-and-sing-with-your-child-every-day.html
Stanford Medicine. (2016, May 23). Mom's voice activates different regions in children's brains. Stanford University. https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2016/05/moms-voice-activates-different-regions-in-children-brains.html