Early exposure to language critical later
Silence is apparently not a good thing when it comes to babies.
Children between the ages of 2 months and 6 months who have a lot of exposure to language are more likely to have advanced language skills later in life, according to research being released this weekend. The research suggests that parents should be trained to make sure infants, particularly those at high risk, are around a lot of talking even before they can speak.
The researchers, who presented their work at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association meeting in New Orleans this week, said babies who heard many different words had more advanced skills by the time they were 18 to 32 months old.
Baltimoresun.com's 
Comments
How many millions of dollars did these researchers waste in order to come up with the insight that infants should be talked to?
"The research suggests that parents should be trained [DID THEY REALLY SUGGEST TRAINING??] to make sure infants, particularly those at high risk, are around a lot of talking even before they can speak."
I'd like to suggest that any "family unit" identifiable enough to be steered to such training be instead steered to far broader venues for ACCULTURATION and remedial education; or just confiscation of their (multiple!) TV's and then housing them next door to a public library.
Posted by: MrRational | November 20, 2009 11:09 AM
This is interesting but surely it isn't new? It has long since been recognised that listening to people speak, at any age and in any language, is one of the main factors of language acquisition.
Posted by: Mr Teacher | November 21, 2009 2:21 PM
I am sure this "research" is valid. But really.....duh! It is easier to have a baby than get a driver's license or a library card. I guess the assumption is that everyone knows how to raise a child. NOT SO. And therein is the reason that American education is in such a shameful state.We have to tell parents to talk to their kids. And that is just the beginning. And then when kids don't succeed in school it is the teachers' fault. We just have to try harder! Well, I raised my kids and all I expected was teachers to teach academics. We need to get back to that.WHEN are we going to stop tip-toeing around and start telling the truth?
Posted by: wise educator | November 21, 2009 7:00 PM
This is nothing new to anyone in education. A teacher can tell very quickly which students have had exposure to all types of language and which ones haven't. The most important thing that a parent can do for his/her child is to read and talk to them constantly. And not in baby language. Using adult words and word phrases around and to a child allows them to absorb much even if they don't totally understand the meanings of the words themselves. What could be more simple?
Posted by: vetern teacher | November 22, 2009 8:29 AM
My experiences and many other practical experiences of other children’s children show that they learn when they are younger. There are studies of a different nature for science, singing and languages show that exposure to something like languages at the start of a persons life helps promote learning in that subject. I do not have confirmed research studies.
Posted by: Education Tay | February 14, 2010 2:31 PM