Parentese: What it is & why you SHOULD use it to speak to your baby. If you’ve ever found yourself talking to your baby in a higher pitch, slower speed, and exaggerated tone, you’ve been speaking in Parentese without even realising it. This natural way of communicating is essential for your baby’s development and helps build a strong bond. Using Parentese can stimulate your baby’s brain, making it easier for them to recognise speech sounds and patterns. It’s not just about fun baby talk, it’s a powerful tool for enhancing early communication skills.
It’s never too soon to begin having one-on-one communication time with your little one. Babies and infants naturally show a desire to engage in basic social communication and any interaction you have with your little ones will help boost early brain development.
Early communication will also help them develop pre-lingustic skills, help them learn about voices, sounds, words and how to engage socially with the world around them.
What is Baby Talk? And should you use Baby Talk to communicate with your child? Or is Parentese a better idea? What exactly is Parentese and will using it assist in a child’s long-term speech and language development? Here, a speech therapist and audiologist answers all your questions.
Baby Talk vs Parentese: what’s the difference?
It is essential to note that there are fundamental differences between conventional ‘baby talk’ and ‘Parentese’ – these two terms should not be used interchangeably.
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What is Baby Talk?
Baby talk is not a specific speaking style and often makes use of inaccurate models of speech and language to children – it is merely a mixture of phonetic sounds, nonsense or made-up words and incomplete or ungrammatical sentence structure, which does not follow typical language patterns.
What is Parentese?
Parentese, on the other hand, is a specific social and linguistic speaking style which is infant directed and has shown to positively benefit children’s speech and language development.
It is fully grammatical speech (although simpler linguistic structure is used to engage your child), it makes use of real words with exaggerated vowels, using a sing-song or higher pitched voice, continued repetition and it is often spoken at a slower rate to allow for turn-taking and engagement with your child.
Is Parentese really that beneficial for a child?
Yes. A thousand times yes. Fundamental research over the years have shown that parental language input is one of the best predictors of children’s language achievement.
Infant studies have shown that children of parents who were effectively coached and made use of infant directed speech (Parentese), were shown to have a larger vocabulary by 18 months of age, developed strong pre-linguistic skills as well as social language and communicative development, all of which stemmed from the effective use of Parentese and constant back-and-forth communicative interaction.
How can I perfect my Parentese?
It is important to note that your baby does not need to understand what you are saying, rather you should focus on the way you say it and how you engage with your child. Make use of Parentese and interaction in everyday simple contexts, this will increase language opportunities, repetition and bonding with your baby. Diaper changes, bath time, bottle feeding, tummy time – all time is talk time!
- Make sure that your child is in a position where you are facing each other. This will facilitate eye-contact, allow them to engage and take in your facial expressions.
- Begin engagement by capturing your child’s attention (for example, you could say: “How is Mummy’s liiiitle liiiitle baby?”).
- During feeding you can say something (in a sing-song/higher pitch) like, “It’s time for [child’s name] to eat. Are you hungry? Yes, you are. Yes, you are, hungry”, “Will you have your bottle? Will you have some veggies? Will you have some carrots… carrots…carrots? Yes, you will. Mummy knows you will.”
- Follow your child’s lead. Watch for signs or signals that tell you that your infant hears, or is paying attention to, your voice. Some infants get ‘bright-eyed’, others wiggle with excitement and some will begin babbling or making vocalisations – just look out for any signs that they’re engaging with you.
- Always make sure you use the correct words and phrases and not made up ones e.g. “na-na” instead of bottle/milk. By using the right words for objects, your child will learn new vocabulary by learning to associate and engage better.
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Remember the key aspects of Parentese are to:
- Increase your pitch
- Use exaggerated sounds
- Speak slowly with more pauses
- Use facial expressions
- Use simple real words and phrases
- Speak in a sing–song voice
- Use repetition
- Have fun!
In conclusion, should you be speaking Parentese to your baby? Yes, that IS the answer!
BabyYumYum FAQs What Is Parentese and Why It’s Essential for Your Baby’s Growth:
How is parentese different from baby talk?
Unlike baby talk (e.g. “gaga” or made-up words), parentese uses real words and correct grammar but in a more engaging tone that helps babies focus on language sounds and structure.
Why is parentese important for my baby’s development?
Parentese helps babies tune in to speech patterns, learn words faster, and form early bonds. Studies show it supports language development and even boosts brain growth in early childhood.
When should I start using parentese?
You can start from birth. Babies recognise voices from early on, and hearing parentese consistently lays the groundwork for understanding and eventually using language.
Do I need to talk to my baby all day?
Not constantly, but regular conversation even during everyday activities like nappy changes or feeding helps expose your baby to language and builds a sense of connection.
What are the benefits of using parentese over regular speech?
Parentese captures your baby’s attention more effectively and highlights important words, helping them distinguish speech sounds, develop memory skills, and feel emotionally secure.
Is parentese only for moms?
No any caregiver can use parentese. Dads, grandparents, siblings, and other carers all contribute to a baby’s language development and emotional wellbeing.
Can parentese help with bilingual language development?
Yes. Speaking to your baby in clear, expressive tones in multiple languages can support bilingual development. The key is consistency and interaction, not which language is spoken.
What if I feel silly using parentese?
That’s completely normal! But remember that it’s backed by science, and your baby loves your voice, tone, and expressions. The more natural and engaged you are, the better it works.
How can I incorporate parentese into daily life?
Narrate what you’re doing, name objects, respond to your baby’s coos, and use eye contact and smiles. Reading books aloud and singing nursery rhymes are also excellent ways to practise parentese.
Can too much screen time affect language development?
Yes. Babies learn best from live, responsive interaction. Screens don’t provide the same feedback or engagement that real people do especially in the early years.
When should I seek help if I’m concerned about language delays?
If your baby isn’t making sounds, responding to voices, or showing interest in communication by around 9–12 months, speak to your health visitor, GP, or a speech and language therapist.
Disclaimer: This content is for general parenting support and does not replace professional medical or developmental advice. Always consult a qualified health professional if you have concerns about your baby’s communication or development.
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