The Importance of Baby Talk

Communication with babies is critical for their development. And while they start off babbling and what appears to be gibberish, engaging in their way of talk is an excellent step in building the foundation to their speaking abilities for the future.

When I go to the grocery store and hear parents chatting with their toddlers, I always find it amusing how distinctly they manage to understand what their child is communicating, even when the children are not speaking in full sentences. Translating baby talk is something parents work to understand, because knowing our kids' wants and needs makes life easier. Chatting also takes practice and repetition. And while we may not always know what to chat with them about, reading is a great supplement. The importance of interacting and talking with babies is crucial enough to be linked to intellectual gaps among children. I was astounded to learn while volunteering the other day, that many of the children that come from homes where communication is irregular, accounts for nearly three million fewer words per year from birth to the age of three. And while genetic factors were taken into account during these studies and observations while in daycare, the bulk of the studies showed that environmental factors far outweigh genetic.

Everyone comes from a different walk of life, and therefore, demographic, socioeconomic backgrounds, etc. can make it difficult to spend as much time with your child as perhaps a stay-at-home parent. But keep in mind, talking is free. And while some children may not be afforded all of the monetary things parents would like to buy if the means were available, communication is priceless, as is a child's development. There should never be a shortage of communication when it comes to taking the little bit of time you may have, to aid a baby's development. I implore all parents reading this blog to take the time to engage with your children. Their future depends on it.


-Leslie Osmond

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