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When you have a baby, it might be hard to imagine why they need socializing. For the first few weeks of life, they seem only to sleep and eat. However, babies build neuron connections much more rapidly than adults. They need socialization, company, and love for their brains to develop.
The high-pitched, sing-song tone of voice that many people use to talk to babies can seem annoying. However, it actually has a basis in human development. Referred to as “Mothereseâ€, this type of speech is easy for baby to hear. It teaches them to look for patterns in speech as well as changes in tone. You can alternate it with regular speech to acclimate your child to how adults talk to one another.
Even though your baby can’t understand what you’re saying, they love to hear you talk. Either from living in you for nine months or from hearing you talk to their mother for nine months, they know the sound of your voice. Continue that outside the womb by talking to them frequently. Talk as you go throughout your day by telling the baby what you’re doing or how you’re feeling. One of the earliest skills a baby learns is turning their head to follow a voice. Talking to them helps them learn this faster.
Try to expose your baby to new people on a fairly regular basis. Don’t over stimulate them by surrounding them with a lot of people they don’t know, but do visit different family members often. The baby will learn different speech patterns, faces, and ways of being held and comforted. Even better, you get a break from being the primary caretaker for a bit!
Although it may seem like an exercise in futility, talk to your baby as if they know what you are saying. You will have a stronger bond with them and their brains will benefit immensely.
