Why shouldn’t you talk like a child to your child? Let’s see what the expert says

Why shouldn’t you talk like a child to your child? Let’s see what the expert says


The infant brain is highly plastic and mirror neurons play an essential role in learning

Who hasn’t looked at a child’s face, seen him talk cutely like that, and wanted to join in? Well, according to neuroscientist Dr. Fabiano de Abreu Agrelaadults should not speak to children in their own language. Understand:




Adult influence

First, the specialist justifies the information through the influence of an adult’s behavior on the child’s mind. “The child’s brain is highly plastic and mirror neurons play an essential role in learning. Therefore, when a child observes another child speaking like an infant or interacts with an adult who uses a simplified vocabulary, his or her mirror neurons replicate this behavior , consolidating – or as default”explains.

More specifically, the phenomenon is deeply rooted in the brain and genetic mechanisms. Doing so can impact the brain areas responsible for producing and understanding speech, reducing the stimulation needed to form more complex neural connections.

“Geniuses, in short FOXP2play a fundamental role in language development. THE BDNFin turn, it is essential for neuroplasticity and both are highly responsive to the environment. Inappropriate stimuli, such as infant language, can limit the expression of these genetic networks, affecting children’s linguistic and cognitive development.”details.

How to avoid the problem?

What may seem like harmless play, like talking like a baby, can actually interfere with children’s linguistic and cognitive development. Therefore, it provides some tips to avoid the impasse.

  • Avoid baby talk: “Speak to children using rich vocabulary and clear sentence structure. This exposes the brain to appropriate language patterns and helps build healthy brain connections”.
  • Be an example: “Children learn by example. If you use language correctly, clearly and objectively, they will tend to replicate your behaviors”.
  • Expand your repertoire: “Reading aloud, children’s songs with complex words and frequent conversations help broaden the language repertoire”.
  • Healthy social interactions: “Finally, children who live with others who use language appropriately are more encouraged to correct inappropriate models”.

Source: Terra

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