Learning How to Speak ‘Parentese’ Can Boost Your Baby’s Language Skills

The exaggerated speaking style, not baby talk, can help your child learn to speak.

By Alex Orlando
Feb 6, 2020 10:00 PMFeb 6, 2020 10:22 PM
Parentese
Talking in "parentese," the unique speech pattern we fall into when talking to young children, might actually help kids develop better language skills. (Credit: fizkes/Shutterstock)

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Who’s a good reader? It’s you, isn’t it? You did such a good job.

Don’t worry, you’re not being patronized; that’s just an example of “parentese.” It's a speaking rhythm we all seem to fall into — even those of us with no children — when speaking to infants.

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