How much you talk to your baby can have a great impact on their development. The more words your baby hears, the better. The literature largely supports this: being exposed to language is REALLY important for brain development.

Language is important but…

Actually, let me correct that a little. Language is important, but it must be language as a part of relating to someone else - mother, father, siblings, grandparents, etc.. And it is those relationships, more than anything else, that help build the young brain.

Television won’t do the trick

Exposure to language from watching a television program, for example, was not beneficial. In fact, it was detrimental to the development of the brain. So the important thing is experiencing lots of language as a part of daily interactions with parents, family, and others who love and care for us.

Care builds brain circuitry

Beyond language alone, ALL the tiny interactions that happen moment to moment are building brain circuitry.

A baby can’t speak, and doesn’t understand the words you say. But every new parent knows they can comfort their crying baby, settle their tired baby, and will respond to the cries, squeaks, and movements of their baby - the huge number of non-verbal cues sent out by their little one. That’s communication.

Calm parenting

Babies can’t regulate their emotions. When a baby has strong feelings, they need the help of a caring other to calm them down, and then to meet their needs. If this is done well enough, regularly enough and with love, then over the years a child’s brain will develop so that they can regulate themselves and their own emotions.

What your baby will learn

They will learn how to manage stress. They will learn how to navigate relationships, deal with challenges, experience empathy, and develop morals and ethics that will serve as a foundation for the rest of their lives. All of this is reflected in the growth of the brain that only occurs as a result of sound, nurturing, healthy relationships with their carers.

Be kind to yourself

That doesn’t mean you have to get it right all the time. You don’t have to be good, just good enough. We all make mistakes, miss cues, respond from stress, or don’t give “enough” time to our kids from time to time. You just have to get it right often enough for your children to feel safe. And don’t forget, when we make a mistake it is a perfect opportunity for us to model to our children how to fix things and mend relationships.

Talk to your baby

So it makes sense - talk to your child, relate to them, engage with them. If you can’t think of what to talk about, then just talk about what’s happening right now. What you’re doing. That bird outside the window. The weather! Play with them, sing with them, and listen to them. As often and as openly as possible. And know that when you do so you are building their brain.

Baby talk: language for brain development