How babies learn language

http://www.human.cornell.edu/hd/outreach-extension/upload/casasola.pdf

 

Research Sheds Light on How Babies Learn and Develop Language


Insights for parents, teachers, and educators from research by Dr. Marianella Casasola, Associate Professor in the Department of Human Development, Cornell University



http://www.parenting.com/article/how-babies-learn-to-talk


How babies learn to talk.


I am not sure how much learning goes on inside the womb.  Some pregnant mothers put earphonse on their tummies and play music for their unborn infants.  Others start reading story books to their unborn infants.

I am not a researcher and I do not have an opinion on what goes on prior to birth.

I am an educator with 30 plus years experience.

I am a believer in talking, singing, and reading to infants from birth.  Music can affect our moods as adults.  I believe it can also affect the moods of babies.  No, I haven't done my own studies, but I have researched the studies of others. 

We know that babies can follow verbal instructions long before they can talk.  How many babies have been told, "No, don't touch!"  And as soon as your back is turned, he/she will reach for the item in question, often watching for the reaction of a caregiver.

We know from studies that children can learn two languages from birth.  I meet bilingual toddlers and preschoolers all the time who have no great difficulty communicating with parents in one language and with me in English.  It is amazing!

Music is a universal language and infants and toddlers respond well to music.  I reared my daughter on musicals - The King and I, Annie, Grease, My Fair Lady.  And of course, all the Disney songs.

But I also loved Hap Palmer songs for children. And Christian hymns are beautiful!

http://www.newkidscenter.com/Best-Music-For-Infants.html

Health Information for Pregnant Women, Babies and Kids.

The Top Ten Lullabies include:

• Kumbaya–An old spiritual tune based on African traditions from the Southern United States
• Baa Baa Black Sheep–This song is the source of the phrase “black sheep,” which is widely used to denote a rogue or a renegade in American slang.
• Swing Low Sweet Chariot–Another African-American spiritual based on a Bible verse about the prophet Elijah–who was taken to heaven in a chariot.
• Twinkle Twinkle Little Star–After “Happy Birthday,” this is probably the best known song in the English language.
• Hush Little Baby–This classic is probably based on an old English drinking song. Legend has it that the words refer to political intrigues that led to the Glorious Revolution in 17th century England.
• Brahms’ Lullaby–A classic written by a legendary composer
• All Through the Night–This song probably originated in Wales.
• All the Pretty Horses–A classic
• Toora Loora Loora–An Irish ballad for infants
• Sleep My Little Baby–This song is also known as Suo Gan, which could point to a Chinese origin.

http://www.bestchildrensmusic.com/

This site gives a great list of music you can purchase for your infant.

 But remember, local libraries carry music cds that can be checked out.  And it is free.  Explore your local library!!  Used book stores often carry music cds too. 


READ READ READ to your baby.

Your infant loves to be held.  Your infant learns the sound of  your voice perhaps even before birth.  As your child absorbs language before they learn to talk, don't waste this ideal learning opportunity.

Yes, you can read anything aloud--recipes, the newspaper, a magazine.  Get into this habit early.

But, include books especially chosen for your baby.  Check out the Caldecott winners and the American Library Association recommendations.

http://time.com/2917400/read-to-your-baby-say-doctors-but-which-books/

Read to Your Baby, Say Doctors — But Which Books?

• Lily Rothman @lilyrothman

June 24, 2014

 

For actual newborns: Can’t & Won’t by Lydia Davis. This short story collection, which came out in April, is a book for grown-ups, by Man Booker International Prize- and MacArthur grant-winner Davis. But it’s great for tiny babies because the short stories are, in some cases, very short. If your kid doesn’t understand the words yet and you can only sneak in a minute of reading a day, and it’s perhaps a minute out of the precious few moments of “me time” you have, you can get up to date on a buzz-worthy literary release. Plus, if the baby’s too young to do too much damage to the book, investing in a hardcover isn’t such a risk.

For slightly older babies who will one day get English degrees: Shakespeare’s Sonnets. Because emotion is more important than content, a nice big collection of lovey-dovey poems that take about a minute to read is perfect. As High points out, reading is often used to help a baby wind down at the end of the day, and the regular rhythm of a rhyming sonnet can’t hurt. If the baby can’t understand Shakespearean words, that’s no big deal; if a word or two does sneak into her brain, there’s nothing inappropriate to worry about.

For kids old enough to touch the book: Farm by James Brown. This picture book made the 2014 Best Books for Babies list, an annual list put together by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children and the Fred Rogers Company (as in, Mr. Fred Rogers). The selection committee commended the author for his use of interesting textures to “add tactile appeal” to the book.  

 

http://www.babycenter.com/0_starter-library-for-newborns-to-6-month-olds_6606.bc

 

With very young babies, what you read isn't nearly as important as that you're reading. Reading out loud gives your newborn a chance to listen to her favorite sound — your voice. And if you hold her warm and snug in your lap while the two of you share a book, she may just associate her happy feelings with reading for the rest of her life. (Test your read-aloud knowledge with our reading to your child quiz.)

Try these classic titles on your baby:

Twinkle, Twinkle: An Animal Lover's Mother Goose, by Bobbi Fabian
 Mother Goose is perfect for newborns because it has the da-ta-da-ta-da-ta-da rhythms that mimic a mother's heartbeat. This collection features clever, charming photo collages of animals in the starring roles; for example, a kangaroo as Jack Be Nimble. It's a great new twist on an old classic.


The Baby's Lap Book, by Kay Chorao
This classic collection of nursery rhymes — from "Jack and Jill" to  "Three Little Kittens" — features realistic pastel drawings. The soothing cadence of the rhymes can calm babies or you can focus on the nonsense lyrics to inspire giggles or coos if you make a game out of it. Kiss your baby during "Georgie Porgie," for example, or make crying noises when you read "Little Bo Peep." After a few readings, you'll know the words to some of those nursery rhymes you used to bluff your way through, so you can play the games anywhere.


Dr. Seuss's Sleep Book
 The good "doctor" provides a collection of sassy, witty poem-stories that rollick and rhyme in a way sure to satisfy your newborn's preference for singsong verse. Plus, it's all about the number-one concern of exhausted new parents: the wonders of going to sleep. This book is perfect for fathers or mothers who consider themselves reluctant readers. It's funny and nonsensical — you're supposed to feel silly reading about the Biffer-Baum Birds and the Herk-Heimer sisters. This one will stay on the bookshelf even after your child's gone off to kindergarten.


The Three Bears Rhyme Book, by Jane Yolen
 Jane Yolen spins the tale of the Three Bears in lilting verse. Start reading this to a newborn and he'll already know one classic by the time you introduce stories with plots. The warm illustrations are pure pleasure for the adult reader as well, offering colored-pencil realism with a watercolor wash.


Black on White, by Tana Hoban
 Featuring simple black illustrations on a white background, this book offers high-contrast images for an infant's developing eyes. As your baby gets older, he'll start identifying the images with the words you read — leaf, key, ring, bib, and so on.


How a Baby Grows, by Nora Buck
 Rhyming couplets address a topic parent and infant are both obsessed with: babies. Phrases such as "These are the things that babies do:/Cry, wet, sleep, coo" are good practice if you're a read-aloud novice, and the illustrations are bright and high-contrast. Older siblings will also enjoy this book — just point out the many things they can do that a baby can't or proudly remind them how they did all those things when they were little.


Goodnight Moon board book, by Margaret Wise Brown
 Sure, everyone knows that Goodnight Moon is the book for babies, but did you ever stop to wonder why? The images are clear and colorful, the rhymes (like "hush" and "mush") are simple and soothing, and, perhaps most important of all, the story of a little rabbit in his striped pajamas saying goodnight to each object in his warm, secure world is a calming ritual — for you and your baby. You'll have your pick of editions for this classic, but our favorite for a newborn is the indestructible board book.


More More More Said the Baby, by Vera B. Williams
 Here's a love song to babies of all sizes, shapes, and ethnicities that'll grab you with its enthusiasm. Bright folk art puts a reader right in the middle of the action as babies are swept up and swung around, and belly buttons are admired and toes kissed. And all the while, "more, more, more," says the baby. This book will make you happy to be a parent.

Remember, that a child learns by reading aloud to you too.  They learn correct pronunciation of new words with your assistance.  They learn comprehension when you discuss the story together.  They learn new vocabulary as you discuss the meaning of words.  One of my favorite memories was reading aloud IT with my middle school son.  I did not choose the book, he did.  But sharing a reading experience with him was wonderful!