ipAn
give autistic infants a life fulfilled
Brain Activity in Infants Reveals Early Speech Preparation
Recent research by the University of Washington sheds light on the remarkable brain activity in infants as young as seven months, indicating their readiness to start speaking
The study, led by Patricia Kuhl, the co-director of the UW’s Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences, discovered that specific areas of the brain associated with planning motor movements for speech were activated when 7- and 11-month-old infants were exposed to speech sounds.
At 7 months, most babies start babbling, but they typically don’t articulate their first words until after their first birthdays. Patricia Kuhl emphasized, “Finding activation in motor areas of the brain while infants are merely listening is significant. It suggests that a baby’s brain is engaged in attempting to communicate right from the start, hinting at their efforts to figure out the motor movements needed to produce words.”
The researchers also observed that 7-month-old infants responded equally to both their native language, English, and Spanish. However, by 11 months, they displayed heightened brain activity for the less familiar language, implying the brain’s adaptation to predict the motor movements required for unfamiliar sounds. This adaptation showcases how infants become familiar with the language spoken around them, preparing the brain’s motor circuits for their own speech development.
"Every coo and babble from a baby is a whisper from a future filled with words. The brain, even at seven months, is a bustling workshop preparing for the grand production of speech."
- Patricia Kuhl, Co-director of UW’s Institute for Learning and Brain Sciences
This study underscores the critical role parents play in aiding their infants’ language development. The simple act of parents talking to their babies, even before the infants visibly respond, exercises vital action areas of the brain. This early interaction aids in priming the brain circuits necessary for the infants’ future speech.
Understanding these early neurological responses offers valuable insights for parents and educators, emphasizing the significance of early linguistic engagement for infants.
About Us
IpAn was founded in 2006 by Dr. Stella Acquarone, over the years the International Pre-Autistic Network has dedicated over three decades to the field of psychotherapy, specializing in early intervention with autism.
Menu
- List Item #1
- List Item #2
- List Item #3