Let's Talk, Baby

The sooner you start explaining the world to your child, the better.

Researchers say early exposure to language helps children learn. New evidence shows that how much and how well parents talk with babies and toddlers helps to tune the youngsters’ brains in ways that build crucial language and vocabulary skills – a key to fighting the infamous word gap that puts poor children at a disadvantage.

The idea is to connect words and meaning, so that the brain becomes primed to learn through context. That doesn’t mean pointing out objects: “Here’s an apple. That’s a bowl.” Instead say, “Let’s put the apple in the bowl with the orange.” That method builds intelligence through language. It makes nets of learning that will help the child learn new words.

Important tips for talking to babies and toddlers include:

• Talk to your infant part of every day. Its brain is absorbing vital information well before it’s able to respond.
• The high-pitched, sing-song voice that many people use with babies does get their attention. But don’t dumb it down. Use rich, varied language and longer sentences.
• Don’t just make observations, make connections. “See how fuzzy the teddy bear feels. He’s much softer than the plastic doll.”
• What matters most is speech directed to babies and toddlers, not what they overhear.
• Turn off the TV. Television does not help the brain learn language. Babies and toddlers require personal interaction to learn.

The time to start talking to your baby is while it is still in the womb.