Year 13 can tell you why talking to babies matters

Learning

This week, our Year 13 English students have been exploring Child-Directed Speech, the special way adults communicate with babies and young children to support language development.

From exaggerated intonation and repetition to simplified vocabulary and lots of positive encouragement, students investigated how these features help children learn new words, understand meaning, and develop communication skills.

As part of their studies, students analysed real-life examples (thanks to teachers sharing recordings of themselves interacting with their children) and considered how the language of adults plays a vital role in early childhood development.

Have you ever caught yourself saying things like, 'Wow! Look at the biiiiiiiig doggy!', ‘Jake, give the nana to Mammy’ or 'Can you wave bye-bye?'?

That's child-directed speech in action!