Part 5
Talking time using “Parentese” with “Serve & Return” creates beginning baby conversations for language development. Keep mind that infants don’t really have an understanding of what they’re saying with their cooing or babbling —they just want to be connected and “in the conversation”.
During the Parentese with ”Serve & Return” the baby brain is working hard to process each experience. The brain is learning about language development, true. However, the brain also thrives on receiving social/emotional support during talking time! Parents have multiple roles during these engaging interactions:
Guide – the baby after the first “serve” begins on a topic or when a daily situation pops up as a topic
Model – the back-and-forth exchanges used in “parentese” with “serve & return”
Teach – vocabulary comprehension and concepts – through repetition of key words and by expanding their knowledge of a topic by using descriptive words (cat-fluffy cat, brown cat, etc.)
Motivate – by using encouragement– positive words, warm touches, direct-eye contact and happy facial expressions
Validate – their interactions by expressing joy, caring, and love with hugs, kisses, and the those warming words, I love
Talking time may be very short or longer in length, depending on the baby’s age and attention span. This joint activity helps to form a strong relationship between the baby and parent. It sends the message verbally and non-verbally that they are important while building trust. These meaningful interactions increase their language learning while deepening social/emotional and cognitive connections. A First Things First article stated “A young child’s daily experiences determine which brain connections develop and which will last for a lifetime. The amount and quality of care, stimulation and interaction they receive in their early years makes all the difference.”
Talking time is always available, morning, noon or night! It’s free, with an unlimited supply and guaranteed to bring incredible joy!
Happy days to you,
Kylene
“Babies need social interactions with loving adults who talk with them, listen to their babblings, name objects for them, and give them opportunities to explore their worlds.”
Sandra Scarr, American Psychologist & Author
First Things First, Why Early Childhood Matters, Brain Development,
https://www.firstthingsfirst.org/early-childhood-matters/brain-development/
Rapport, Lisa, Reuters Health, (2018), ’Back-and-forth’ conversations with young kids may aid brain development, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-childhood-language/back-and-forth-conversations-with-young-kids-may-aid-brain-development-idUSKBN1KY28O
Zero to Three, Let’s Talk About It: 5 Ways to Build Babies’ Language and Communication Skills from Birth, (2022), https://www.zerotothree.org/resource/lets-talk-about-it-5-ways-to-build-babies-language-and-communication-skills-from-birth/
