If you find yourself speaking in a dramatic, sing-songy way with your baby, you’re speaking what’s called “parentese.” Parentese often happens naturally, without us outwardly trying to do it. It usually involves a higher pitch, more dramatic pauses and changes of tone. Research has shown that this instinctive way of talking with baby boosts their speech and language development!
Parentese is also grammatically correct
Aside from the fun, exaggerated tone, it’s important to note that parentese differs from what you might consider “baby talk.” Baby talk often entails “dumbing down” the conversation, using only simple words or making up new, silly ways of pronouncing things all together. For example, “wa wa” instead of “water.”
Parentese emphasizes using real, varied words in their correct way. Parentese would use “water,” not “wa wa.”
Using real, grammatically correct words is key
Parentese, baby talk, or just normal conversing, it is important to avoid overly-simplifying a baby's exposure to language, and even more important to avoid saying nicknames for words. Why?
Your baby is in a sensitive period for acquiring language. They will take the information they receive as the source of truth, and so it’s respectful to give them the facts first. This is water!
The more clearly you speak, the more clearly they will learn to speak.
You're also building their vocabulary when you use a robust, varied vocabulary.
So the next time you’re tempted to “baby talk,” pause and consider just how much your baby is learning right now. They may be little, but they are booming! Their brain makes more than a million neural connections every second in the first three years of life. Using real, rich, and grammatically-correct language is precisely what your baby is ready for and interested in!
This will also help in the next stage of toddlerhood, as the more your toddler can communicate their feelings, the easier it will be to work through tantrums and big feelings.
You can be fun, engaging, and accurate!