Baby talk: Why it is important for your baby

Baby talk is the childlike and playful way you communicate with a baby. It has limited vocabulary, a childlike tone and sometimes includes expressions.

We know that babies cannot communicate perfectly or listen like adults can which is why parents or caregivers use baby talk.

Research has shown that the benefits of baby talk are very vital for their development. This is why you need to do it. Some of the benefits include:

As babies grow older, they should have learnt one or two words around 18 months. That is the average for most babies.

When a child has already reached two years and can barely say a few words, it means they’re having some trouble. This can make it hard for them to make friends or interact with other people.

All this can be avoided by starting baby talk early enough.

Babies listen and understand baby talk as compared to normal talk. It’s slower and the tone is more interesting so they’re able to pay attention.

The more baby talk they hear, the more words they pick up. When they hear it more often, they learn how to express themselves faster.

Baby talk also increases brain activity. It enhances their concentration spans and their memory to a huge extent.

These early foundations will even make it easier for them to learn when they start going to school.

For example, when you start calling them by their name more often, they’ll start to recognize it. They’ll also be able to know who to call mom and who to call dad. This is all part of early self-awareness.

Baby talk has essential benefits especially if you learn to do it the right way.

i.Start early

It’s really never too early to start baby talk. It’s even something that should come automatically to most parents from the time the baby is born. Even though they’re not able to respond, they can still hear you.

ii.Have one on one often

Besides the usual daily baby talk, you can also have a one-on-one lesson with them. Choose a time where there are no distractions to make it more effective.

iii.Maintain eye contact

Just like a good communicator, you must maintain eye contact. Do the same with your baby. This will help them concentrate better and strengthen their concentration.

iv.Do it often

The more baby talk, the better. It won’t be the same for them when they hear baby talk from baby cartoons and when they listen to you. Baby talk from a parent or caregiver is more interactive and effective.

v.Mix it up

Make it fun by mixing it up every now and then. Sing for them, read storybooks and get some learning tools like videos to help with the process.

vi.Make progress as they grow older

There comes a time where you’ll have to transition between baby talk and normal talk. As they grow older, they’ll be able to differentiate the two and understand normal talk better.

One way you can transition is by letting them talk without interrupting them and encouraging them to finish sentences on their own.