Parentese

July 23, 2025

Modeling the sing-song, exaggerated, high pitched voice known as parentese, is an easy way to support connection and language development in your visits with infants. Research shows that parentese helps babies to learn language more easily PLUS hearing the sound of familiar voices helps babies soothe from the start. So go ahead and sound funny, it's research approved!

Here's what you can try in practice:

  • Try out using your own higher pitch, exaggerated intonation, and slower tempo voice to capture and hold an infant's attention during examinations.
  • Model parentese while describing actions or objects in the room, promoting early vocalizations and conversational turn-taking that are crucial for language acquisition.
  • Name this funny voice for parents, by letting them know that parentese activates language centers in their baby's brain.
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