Did you know that adults change their actions when they interact with babies?

You might have heard of ‘infant-directed speech’, which is the simpler speech that adults use when talking to babies. But scientists also suggest that adults simplify their actions when they interact with babies. 

'Motionese' and how it helps your baby

This simplification of actions is called 'infant-directed action' or 'motionese'. When you interact with your baby, you'll be closer to them than you would be to an adult; without even thinking about it, you'll repeat actions more, and look at your baby’s face more often.  

It is thought that ‘motionese’ helps babies to have a greater level of attention and might help them to focus on a particular goal.  

Scientists think that parents instinctively change their actions in this way when playing with their babies, so you probably don’t need to do anything differently, just try to have some uninterrupted time playing with your baby as often as you can.

Reference:  

Goswami, U.C. (2020) Cognitive development and cognitive neuroscience: The learning brain. 2nd edn. London:Routledge.