Babies Need to Hear Words

Babies may not be able to talk back but they are listening and it makes a difference on the first day of preschool and stays with them as adults, influencing their career success.

In 1995 Betty Hart Ph.D. and Todd R. Risley Ph.D. published their research on language development in a book entitled  "Meaningful Differences in the Everyday Experience of Young American Children". They went into family's homes every month for 3 years recording every word uttered. Their research showed the amount of words babies heard were directly related to their future school performance and IQ as well as later career success. The children who's parents spoke the most words had heard 30 million more words than the children who's parents spoke to them least. This is now referred to as "The 30 million word gap". The researchers also noted that in addition to the number of words spoken by the parents, the variety of words mattered as well as the emotional content of the words.The kids who's parents spoke the most, with the most variety and gave positive feedback, had children with better language skills and a greater rate of growth in the area of language, with IQ's 1 1/2 times higher than the least talkative group by age 3 and knew twice as many words by the time they started school. 

Since 1995, research on language growth in babies has expanded exponentially. One researcher, Dr. Anne Fernald, at the Stanford Center for Infant Studies is researching the effects of child-directed speech using word pedometers. She has found the word gap to begin as early as 18 months. Her research shows that children in the lower socio-economic testing group at age 2 are where the high socio-economic group was at 18 months. What is reassuring is that the power to narrow this gap is in the power of words, which are free. The key is getting this information to the parents prior to birth or as soon after birth as possible so they can begin showering their baby with words. 

For the first two years of life it may seem odd to talk to someone who can talk back but rest assured, babies are listening. 

• Language gains are made from speech directed at the child, not from words they overhear or television. Talk to your baby and turn off the TV. 
• Be mindful of your child's non-verbal communication: see, observe, respond.
• Take turns communicating. If you make a face or a sound, wait for your baby to take a turn and respond (verbally or non-verbally). Stay focused on your baby while you wait for her to respond during her turn. 
• Narrate routines. Much of the life of an infant or toddler involves routines such as diaper changes, feeding, bathing. Add words throughout each and every routine. 
• Use rich language. Dr. Fernald's research shows greater benefits from hearing rich and varied language with longer sentences. There is no need and no benefit to speaking in short sentences or labeling an object with one word. Instead of "car" add "That car is going fast." or some other rich description in context with the surroundings. 
• Make connections about the environment to help develop stronger critical thinking skills. Compare and contrast items. Explain why things happen. Find creative solutions to problems. Make predictions. 
• Ask open-ended questions, even if you don't expect your baby to answer with words.
• Help babies develop self-regulation skills by commenting on how they might be feeling. 
• Give babies the ability to communicate with words even earlier by using baby signs when you communicate. Babies will be able to communicate with signs before their ability to speak. The sooner you begin and the more often you sign while speaking the more your baby will benefit.
• When reading books, be sure to allow time to create free dialogue about what is happening on each page alone, or in addition to the words on each page. 
• Add a math component by talking about numbers and counting naturally as opportunities arise. 
• Be sure to communicate using a positive tone and offering plenty of encouragement when your baby is learning new skills. 

Increased exposure leads to increased understanding.
Be sure all caregivers in your baby's life understand the importance of showering them with language.

First 5 California promotes language develop through Talk. Read. Sing.

From "The Economist" an overview of the 30 Million Word Gap

Dr. Anne Fernald shares her research.