Researchers have discovered that when an adult engages in social interaction and play with a 5-month-old baby, the baby’s brain activity increases in areas related to attention. This increased brain activity is linked to improved language development in later years. The interaction usually involves the parent speaking in a high-pitched voice, known as “parentese,” and responding positively to the baby’s babbling and gestures, often with eye contact and smiles. This interaction is not only heartwarming but also has a significant impact on the baby’s brain development.Research from the University of Washington’s Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences (I-LABS) indicates that social interactions are crucial for the language development of infants. A study published in Current Biology on April 8 utilized magnetoencephalography (MEG) to observe infant brain activity during social and nonsocial interactions with the same adult. The results showed that when an adult engaged in social talk and play with a 5-month-old baby, the baby’s brain activity increased in areas responsible for attention. This heightened activity level was also linked to improved language growth.Language development in later stages was analyzed by comparing a ‘social’ scenario with a ‘nonsocial’ scenario, where the adult turned away from the baby to talk to another person. The study found that the interaction in the ‘social’ scenario led to higher brain activity levels in certain areas. Lead author Alexis Bosseler stated that this study is the first to directly compare infant brain responses to different types of interactions and then follow up with the children until the age of 2.5 to assess the impact of early brain activation on their language abilities. The use of MEG brain-imaging technology enabled researchers to conduct these analyses.The study allowed the researchers to observe how the baby’s brain responded to natural interactions with an adult, such as talking, playing, and smiling. They were able to track the firing of neurons from multiple areas in the baby’s brain while the adult engaged with the baby and then again when the adult directed their attention elsewhere.
These everyday interactions between adults and babies were found to have distinct effects on the baby’s brain. The study revealed that increased neural activity in response to social interaction at 5 months old was linked to improved language development at later ages, up to 5 years.8, 21, 24, 27, and 30 months were the time periods that the researchers focused on when tracking the language development of infants. They used a survey that is well-documented and validated to ask parents about the words and sentences their infants use at home.
Co-author Andrew Meltzoff, who is a UW professor of psychology and co-director of I-LABS, expressed interest in the connection between early brain reactions and later language development. He also mentioned that this raises new questions for further exploration.
The researchers specifically selected 5-month-old babies for the study because this age is just before the “sensitive period” for The process of learning speech and language typically begins around 6 months of age. During this time, it is crucial for infants to observe adults as it can significantly enhance their learning abilities. According to Patricia Kuhl, who is the senior author and co-director of I-LABS, using parentese when communicating with infants is a natural way to form a connection. Kuhl emphasizes that there is a fundamental understanding that language is all about forming connections and establishing a pathway for communication. This desire to connect and communicate starts in infancy. The findings of the study carry significant implications for parents and early educators, highlighting the importance of understanding the role of interaction in language development.Kuhl mentioned in the article, “We were aware from previous research that social interaction is crucial at 9 months old for learning a foreign language, but the current study demonstrates that social interaction plays a role much earlier.” She continued, “The study indicates that parents’ natural use of parentese, along with smiles, touch, and their responsive interactions with the baby, have a tangible impact on the baby’s brain. We believe that this parent behavior, which we refer to as ‘the social ensemble,’ captures and maintains infants’ attention and motivates them to learn at a critical point in their development.”
The Journal Reference:
- A study conducted by Alexis N. Bosseler, Andrew N. Meltzoff, Steven Bierer, Elizabeth Huber, Julia C. Mizrahi, Eric Larson, Yaara Endevelt-Shapira, Samu Taulu, and Patricia K. Kuhl found that infants’ brain responses to social interaction can predict their future language growth. The study was published in Current Biology in 2024 and can be accessed at 10.1016/j.cub.2024.03.020
