2023-12-01 19:37:24
Rhythmic Information Key for Language Learning in Babies, Study Finds
New research from the University of Cambridge has revealed that singing for babies is essential for learning language. According to the study, babies first learn to understand language through rhythm and tone rather than isolated sounds.
The researchers found that when tones rise and fall, as emphasized in nursery rhymes, babies store that information. In fact, babies don’t pick up their first speech sounds, also known as phonetic information, until they are seven months old. However, they often already know words, such as ‘bottle,’ through singing.
The findings published in the scientific journal Nature Communications suggest that rhythmic information is vital for learning language. Babies who hear nursery rhymes more often are better at learning language, as rhythmic information can be used to add phonetic information to form words and sounds. Additionally, rhythm and tone help babies guess the next sound.
“Rhythm and tone are the hidden glue for good language development,” the researchers write.
The study raises doubts about whether individual speech sounds are the key to learning language. While more individual speech sounds are added after the first seven months, researchers believe this process happens too slowly to form the basis of a language.
The implications of this research are significant, as it emphasizes the importance of exposing babies to rhythmic information, such as nursery rhymes, for language development. The findings suggest that singing for babies at a young age helps lay the foundation for language learning.
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