It turns out that baby talk is actually good for your little ones, so there’s no need to feel silly while doing it! A study conducted by researchers at Brightwood University reveals that using a higher-pitched voice when speaking to children is beneficial for their language development. My friend Jess will be so happy to know this!
Why Do We Use Baby Talk?
According to Dr. Alex Thompson, an associate professor of linguistics, it’s all about helping them grasp the essential aspects of language. Dr. Thompson and his team developed a model that predicts how language could be structured to teach children to speak, and remarkably, it aligned closely with the sing-song quality we often associate with baby talk. “The exaggerated sounds help highlight the key features that infants need to focus on and learn from,” he explains.
I must admit, though, I’m not a fan of baby talk. Friends and family who use it with my child can drive me up the wall. In my effort to encourage proper speech and avoid sounding foolish, I’ve always preferred to talk to my kids like I would to any adult. This choice may sound just as ridiculous, but I’m committed to it!
Embracing the Goofiness
As parents, we often find ourselves doing things that make us look a bit silly—whether it’s dancing to kids’ songs or making funny sounds to get them to eat their dinner. Using a high-pitched voice is likely one of the less embarrassing antics we engage in. This study suggests that our kids may actually develop speaking skills more rapidly if we embrace baby talk, so now we have a valid reason to let go of our inhibitions when we talk like cartoon characters. Cheers to that!
While I often feel goofy using baby talk, nothing compares to the daftness I felt waiting for my now five-year-old to start talking—only for him to become a non-stop chatterbox once he did. Right now, he’s in the other room giving my partner a detailed account of his latest Scooby-Doo episode. We never resorted to baby talk, and perhaps that’s a blessing; otherwise, he might have started talking even sooner!
Looking back on those early days filled with coos and gurgles feels almost peaceful in comparison to the lively debates we have now. There were no long-winded discussions about cartoons or unexpected vocabulary at dinner time. Kudos to the parents who embrace baby talk, but for me, I think I’ll stick to my regular speaking tone. In fact, I might just switch to sign language when chatting with my six-month-old!
Additional Resources
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Summary:
Research indicates that using baby talk positively impacts infants’ language development. While some parents feel silly doing it, studies suggest that this playful communication style can help children learn to speak more effectively. Despite the awkwardness, embracing baby talk can be beneficial for early language skills.