INFANT LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT

PowerPoint Outline** I. Introduction and Background II. The First 6 Months III Months IV. Maternal Communication Behaviors V. Practical Activities for Stimulating Language Development

I. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND** nResearch: human brains begin development very early nEarly months and years of life are critical and can be predictive of eventual lifetime achievement

Youtube… 3 month old baby clearly says I love you (MaXi) Amazing!

But be careful…. Baby’s first words very funny

Sheehan (Stanford Child Neurology); child’s brain is:

II. THE FIRST 6 MONTHS** A. Introduction In the U.S., the mother is usually the primary caregiver In other cultures, extended families are more common— siblings especially

Babies prefer….

Between 6-8 weeks of age…** Babies exhibit their first social smile **This disagrees with the book, which says 3 weeks

Cooing occurs….

In terms of motor milestones…

III MONTHS

At 9-12 months of age…

By 12 months of age…

First words

By 12 months of age… A baby should take her first steps and start walking

IV. MATERNAL COMMUNICATION BEHAVIORS** A. Cultural and Socioeconomic Influences Again, in many cultures, siblings and other family members care for infants

There are often cultural differences in interactions

Low-SES mothers…

When parents are stressed …

B. Infant-Directed Speech** Infant-directed speech (IDS), also called motherese, is speech adapted to infants There are several characteristics of IDS

Infant-directed speech:

Listen to the mom in this youtube video cute baby playing pattycake 8 months old Londyn

Interestingly…

Joint reference is important:

Joint action:

Dialogues are important:

NO SCREENS!!!!!!!!

The research of Fowler and colleagues:** n2 groups of babies nGroup A: began language stimulation at 4 months nGroup B: began language stimulation at 12 months

Research by Tamis-LeMonda and colleagues shows that…** The more responsive caregivers are, the earlier babies will say their 1st words and put 2 words together

According to Tamis-LeMonda and colleagues:

The most powerful mechanism…

Youtube Still face experiment Shows how important caregiver responsiveness is!

In contrast…. Watch how Joe imitates and responds to Nico immediately in the moment Celeste Roseberry youtube channel

V. PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES FOR STIIMULATING INFANT LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT

1. Start talking to the baby at birth** nFace to face contact is ideal

2. Begin reading to the baby very early

When reading to the baby,

One of my personal favorites:

My children’s book program… Emphasizes Love, Talk, Read Not this!!

3. Introduce music** nSing to the baby nPlay music nThe baby can play!

4. Ask questions Pause between questions-- ↑ turn- taking skills

5. Introduce 2 languages from birth

6. Introduce the baby nTo rattles— different noises

7. Play turntaking games

8. Remember that most newborns

9. Put a safe-glass mirror** nIn the baby’s crib nPoint out and label her body parts

10. Imitate sounds the baby makes

11. Use greetings and expressions n.”

12. When cleaning the house or going on errands…

13. Provide many opportunities

14. Make sure

Even paper can work! Youtube Baby laughing at ripping paper Micah is 8 months old

So can bubbles Youtube Hysterical over bubbles

What are some common house hold items that the baby can play with? What are some cheap/free activities to do?

15. Let the baby

16. Start a scrapbook** nSoft cotton cloth book nCut favorite animals and favorite objects out of fuzzy cloth; glue them into the book nGo through the scrapbook with the baby; have him feel the pictures as you name them nYou can also let the baby touch other pictures and objects

III. LABELING PLAY: THE RESEARCH OF WILLIAM FOWLER** nLabeling play: naming common objects that babies encounter in their daily experiences nThere are ways to specifically do this that make words easier to learn

The keys:

For example:** nThere’s the cat. nHere’s your bottle! nI see Grandpa.

Advantages of Word Labeling over Ordinary Speech:

Word labeling: engages baby’s attention directly

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The bottom line is…..

PowerPoint Outline** I. Introduction and Background II. The First 6 Months III Months IV. Maternal Communication Behaviors V. Practical Activities for Stimulating Language Development