1 of 1

Write now Article Tools

"Infant-directed speech" is a term researchers use to explain the way most adults speak to babies. The public simply calls this method of speaking "baby talk". Call it infant-directed speech - call it baby talk - either way the mode of speaking can be bottles of fun when striving to grab and hold a baby's attention.

Anyone who has ever used "baby talk" in efforts to communicate with newborn infants or small babies more than likely has seen how babies widen their eyes and stare toward high-pitched sounds coming from faces several times babies' heads. Gaining an innocent baby's attention can make an older person feel as if nothing throughout the world is more important to the baby than said person's voice.

The reason it is possible to gain and hold a baby's attention using baby talk is that babies are attracted to ascending vocal tones and slow speech patterns characteristic of infant-directed speech. They simply love voices that elevate pitch levels, utilize short sentences, and communicate in slow accentuated tones. It may be difficult for "baby talkers" to understand the few who actually find baby talk annoying and label it ridiculous, unnecessary, and speech stunting. Especially since besides enjoying infant-directed speech, babies become more alert when they hear this mode of speaking.

Fact is, researchers have maintained for years that babies prefer infant-directed speaking over adult monotone speaking. They have longed believed that despite the fact infants eventually grow and begin using verbiage akin to other children and finally normal adults, learning and utilizing language is promoted when babies are spoken to using infant-directed speech. This theory has many aspects. In addition to intonation and shortened sentences mentioned above, infant-directed speech also makes use of factors researchers term "novel focused" words at ends of sentences, simplified sentence structures, and exaggerated phrase markings.

Novel focused words are words adults emphasize in sentences such as, "Wh-e-re-s the ba-a-by?" in which "where" and "baby" are the focus. Emphasizing novel focused words helps infants distinguish these words and, in affect, add familiarized words to their intellect-based vocabulary. Researchers also believe cadences formed from simplified sentence structures and exaggerated phrase markings coupled with repetitive word sequences helps babies learn word recognition.

Although researchers have long been aware that baby talk might actually aid, rather than

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about How Infant-directed speech helps babies to learn to talk?
We want to hear your view. Write now!