Can babies sign before they can speak?
Can babies sign before they can speak? Signing is stimulating and fun, but there’s little evidence that it’s easier to master than speech.
Language and communication
What is parental phubbing, and how does it harm families?
No need to point fingers, because we’ve all done it: Ignoring people around us while we focus on a technological device. When we ignore or snub folks with our smartphones, it’s called “phubbing,” and since many of us carry our smartphones everywhere, phubbing has become very common. But — no surprise! — phubbing can erode … Continue reading
Baby talk 101: How infant-directed speech helps babies learn language
Many parents use infant-directed speech, a register that is exaggerated, emotional, melodic, and higher-pitched. Are their babies better off? Does it help babies learn language at an earlier age?
The science of gestures: We learn faster when we talk with our hands
Gestures aren’t just hand-waving. Learn how hand movements can help babies, school children, and even adults learn.
Talking to babies: How face-to-face communication helps infants experience “brain-to-brain synchrony”
Talking to babies helps them learn speech. But nonverbal cues may teach something more — the ability to synchronize their thoughts and feelings with those of another person.
Baby communication: Why your baby prefers infant-directed speech
Baby communication operates on many channels, including sight and touch. But infant-directed speech plays a special role in language learning.
Baby sign language: A guide for the science-minded parent
What is baby sign language? Should we teach babies to sign? There’s no clear evidence that formal training programs yield long-term benefits. But signing may help parents “tune in” to their babies, and certain gestures may make it easier for babies to learn.
How to support language development in babies
Babies possess amazing learning abilities. But to master language, they need our help. Studies suggest we can support language development by engaging babies in conversation, and by providing them with a variety of special cues and communicative experiences.
Can musical training help babies learn language?
Research suggests that playful, age-appropriate musical training can help babies learn language-related skills.
When do babies say their first word?
Babies make lots of communicative noises, but coos, gurgles, and cries aren’t true speech. When do babies say their first words? Most babies can say at least one or two words by the end of their first year, but the timing may vary considerably from individual to individual.
Emotion coaching: Helping kids cope with negative feelings
Emotion coaching is the practice of tuning into children’s feelings, and helping kids learn to cope with negative emotions like fear, anger, and sadness.
How do children respond to a mother’s voice?
© 2021 Gwen Dewar, Ph.D., all rights reserved A mother’s voice has special power. It can provide comfort — and improve outcomes — for babies hospitalized in the NICU. It can shape the way infants process language in the brain. And it can help children cope with pain and stress. What happens when a baby … Continue reading