Why a sing-song voice helps babies learn to talk

Speaking ‘parentese’ can help to foster good speech and language development, and encourage clear communication

Abby O'Leary with 11-month-old Jack. Picture: Larry Cummins

Abby O’Leary loves playing ‘Round and Round the Garden’, with her 11-month-old son Jack.

“I go around the palm of his hand with my fingers, and then I do ‘one, two, three, and tickle you under there’ under his jaw or arm. And when I stop, he puts his finger into his own palm and looks at me as if to say, ‘You can play it again'.