In normal, everyday speech adults generally race along at a very fast pace. Babies tend not to react when an adult talks to a baby in a normal voice and plain sentences. When we use a high pitched sing song voice we see babies smiling, giggling and turning towards us. Babies are naturally drawn towards music and rhythm rather than the plain speech

Over articulation that exaggerates the sounds contained in words, animated facial expressions and rhythmic voice are what characterise ‘Parentese’. Using Parentese can help your baby learn language. By talking and communicating with babies using parentese we are playing a vital role in supporting early communication skills.

To support early communication:

Use proper words, but elongate the vowels
Use high pitched voice and rhythmic tone
Face to Face
Pause
Use shorter sentences
Speak slowly
Use exaggerated facial expressions
Talk to your baby as much as you can

Humans respond significantly more to sounds with musical pitch. Humans prefer these sounds to sounds without a pitch. In humans our auditory cortex lights up more brightly when tones were played compared to noises (sounds without pitch).

Sarah Winstanley, SaLT

Communication Lincs Ltd because Speech Therapy Matters