Clare Randall

Clinical Psychologist passionate about improving the lives of families through psychology

[Dan Wuori @DanWuori]

Did you know that babies cry with an accent?

This week I’ll be focusing on language acquisition during infancy. Yesterday we talked about how newborns enter the world already recognizing the distinct tones of their mothers’ voices, as well as the rhythms and patterns of what will become their native language.

And that recognition is not only receptive (the language we hear and understand), but expressive (the language we speak).

Which leads us to crying with accent.

A study that compared the cries of French and German infants identified distinct patterns their cries - measured as early as the day after their births - that mirror the unique melodies (or prosody) of their native languages.

The French infants ended their cries with a lilt that mirrored French, while German infants began their cries with intensity then dropped off at the end, mirroring the vocalizations of their German parents.

It’s still more evidence that some basic forms of language learning are influenced by children’s experience (learning) in utero.

When it comes to our earliest vocalizations, newborns rely heavily on cries - which often tend to be a bit screechier than they will become in time - alongside gurgles, grunts and squeaks (like those shown in the video here.)

But in just a matter of weeks these basic sounds make way for a much broader array of vocalizations. We’ll look at a few of those tomorrow.

This new arrival was shared to TT by https://t.co/dLVGWT4OK9.002.

[Clare Randall @DrClareR]

@bee_therapy O.

[Clare Randall @DrClareR]

Can you help?

[Clare Randall @DrClareR]

Next week is Baby week: highlighting the opportunity and vulnerabilities of babies. Join us on zoom to hear about the work we do all year!

[BDCFT Childrens Services @CommunityChild7]

Just what was needed! Time to be pause, be together, think and reflect. Another great wellbeing session.

[Dr Matt Price @DrMattPrice1]

I am delighted to share that #LittleMindsMatter is expanding across #Bradford to reduce inequalities in health and care. If you're working in Bradford with a family who may benefit from support for their parent-infant relationship, please do get in touch #InfantMentalHealth