Healthwise
To print: Use your web browser's print feature. Close this window after printing.

Language Development in Newborns

Table of Contents


Overview

Speech and language lessons start in the uterus. Your developing baby hears and responds to familiar voices. Soon after birth, your baby prefers and responds more to the mother's voice than to any other. And your newborn can recognize whether sounds are part of his or her native language.

Your newborn learns language by listening to the basic and distinct sounds (phonemes), such as the "tr" and "cl" sounds in the English language. Your baby remembers sounds and continually learns more nuances of language. These are later expressed when he or she starts to talk.

Babies learn language skills through frequent interaction, such as reading and being talked to. Newborns respond to "baby talk." This is a higher-pitched, slower speech with emphasis placed on alternating words. Most parents instinctively speak this way to their newborn. Over time, they start to incorporate normal speech patterns and pitch.

You provide comforting contact when you read to your baby. Forming a reading routine early helps make future reading comfortable and fun.


Credits for Language Development in Newborns

Current as of: October 24, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
Clinical Review Board (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.


Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document. Some information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version.

© 1995-2024 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.