It’s a special feeling to hold your baby and look at them as they look back at you. You and your baby might do this as you rock in a rocking chair, make silly faces, or sing a nursery rhyme.
Did you know that these face-to-face interactions, especially when singing, are proven to support babies’ speech and language development? A study published in 2022 looked at how well babies pay attention to people who sing to them, as well as where on the speaker's face they look. Surprisingly, the baby’s gaze shifts to the person’s mouth as the baby gets older.
Keep reading to find out why that is–and why it matters! Plus, get simple tips you can use at home to promote your baby’s speech and language through song. (Don’t worry, the ability to sing on key isn’t required.)