Looking to raise a confident little talker but not sure where to start?
You don’t have to overthink it. According to science, your baby’s brain is primed to join in on conversation from the moment they’re born.
Read more This big university system is embracing AI. Students and faculty aren’t all on board
Life Kit
The dos and don’ts of baby talk
The dos and don’ts of baby talk
- Download
-
<iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/nx-s1-5826128/nx-s1-mx-5826128-1" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> - Transcript

Life Kit
- NPR App
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Amazon Music
- iHeart Radio
- YouTube Music
- RSS link
And there’s plenty you can do to help boost that language development on a daily basis. Avoid the “goo goo ga ga” baby talk, for one – use real words to avoid confusion. And pause to wait for a response when you talk to them, even if it’s a coo.
Cartoonist Navied Mahdavian illustrates advice from Roger Harrison, a child psychologist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; Jessica Rolph, a mom of three and the CEO of the early childhood development toy company Lovevery; and Amelia Bachleda, director of outreach and education at the Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences.
New YorkerThis Country: Searching for Home in (Very) Rural America
More comics journalism from Life Kit
Experts demystify the science of awkwardness — and explain how to reduce the emotional intensity of mortifying flashbacks (like that one time you called your teacher “Mommy”).
Read more U.S.-Iran peace deal emerging, while war threats still loom

Life Kit
Do less, ask for more: How to make life easier as a working parent
How real is the five-second rule? Am I going to get explosive diarrhea if I keep reheating the same leftovers? A refresher course on food safety ahead of the holiday season.
In this illustrated guide, behavioral scientist BJ Fogg breaks down his Tiny Habits framework to help you rethink your approach to starting (or restarting) a habit.
Read more In Beirut, refugee girls and women learn more than self-defense in martial arts class