Loading video...

Video Failed to Load

There was a problem loading this video. This could be due to a temporary network issue or the video might be unavailable.

Infants are the world’s most accomplished language learners. As the process unfolds, children pass through stages of progressively more complex “babbling” before they begin using conventional words. But babbling isn’t limited to spoken language. Deaf children and the children of deaf parents pass through similar stages as they approximate... show more

Dan Wuori

148,435 subscribers

107,170 views • 1 year ago •via X (Twitter)

Anya Rossi• Live Now

Private livecam show

0 Comments

No comments available

Comments from the original post will appear here

Related Videos

Here’s one of the most fascinating child development videos I’ve ever shared. As your baby learns language, they begin by approximating the examples you set. After a period of early experimentation with sound (including cries, coos and gurgles), infants begin babbling - making speech-like sounds (which often include components of conventional speech) that are - nonetheless - not yet conventionally meaningful. This babbling phase is a precursor to the use of formal words. And it happens in all languages. Including sign language. This video shows an infant (who, by the way, is not hearing impaired) “babbling” to her deaf grandparents. As they sign to her, she responds in kind, using her hands to approximate the signed communication that they are modeling. It’s a whole serve and return conversation, just as if they were conversing verbally. If you’ll watch carefully, you’ll note distinct turn taking. And - interestingly - that with her grandparents she largely avoids vocalizations, in favor of gesture. What a treat to see this rich example of bilingual language development. This fascinating video was shared to TT by mara_mccullough.

Here’s one of the most fascinating child development videos I’ve ever shared. As your baby learns language, they begin by approximating the examples you set. After a period of early experimentation with sound (including cries, coos and gurgles), infants begin babbling - making speech-like sounds (which often include components of conventional speech) that are - nonetheless - not yet conventionally meaningful. This babbling phase is a precursor to the use of formal words. And it happens in all languages. Including sign language. This video shows an infant (who, by the way, is not hearing impaired) “babbling” to her deaf grandparents. As they sign to her, she responds in kind, using her hands to approximate the signed communication that they are modeling. It’s a whole serve and return conversation, just as if they were conversing verbally. If you’ll watch carefully, you’ll note distinct turn taking. And - interestingly - that with her grandparents she largely avoids vocalizations, in favor of gesture. What a treat to see this rich example of bilingual language development. This fascinating video was shared to TT by mara_mccullough.

Dan Wuori

2,902,374 views • 2 years ago

Santa is making Christmas a special time for deaf and hard-of-hearing children! The children were able to talk to Santa through sign language — an interaction uncommon for deaf kids! That is the magic of Christmas — what a special moment for these children!

Santa is making Christmas a special time for deaf and hard-of-hearing children! The children were able to talk to Santa through sign language — an interaction uncommon for deaf kids! That is the magic of Christmas — what a special moment for these children!

Ben Crump

25,071 views • 3 years ago

Prepare to be dazzled. Young children are the world’s most efficient language learners - and easily master the challenge of bilingualism in supportive settings. Check out little Sam here as he switches back and forth seamlessly between Polish (the native language of his mother) and English (his father). Research suggests that bilingual/multilingual infants readily distinguish between the languages to which they are exposed, without any evidence of confusion. They are adept at recognizing the unique rhythms associated with each language - and can even visually discriminate between the unique (and often subtle) facial movements associated with different languages. Contrast this with the challenge of language learning as adults. How many of us took a foreign language in high school or college but cannot even begin to claim Sam’s level of fluency? 🎥 babysamanddad TT

Prepare to be dazzled. Young children are the world’s most efficient language learners - and easily master the challenge of bilingualism in supportive settings. Check out little Sam here as he switches back and forth seamlessly between Polish (the native language of his mother) and English (his father). Research suggests that bilingual/multilingual infants readily distinguish between the languages to which they are exposed, without any evidence of confusion. They are adept at recognizing the unique rhythms associated with each language - and can even visually discriminate between the unique (and often subtle) facial movements associated with different languages. Contrast this with the challenge of language learning as adults. How many of us took a foreign language in high school or college but cannot even begin to claim Sam’s level of fluency? 🎥 babysamanddad TT

Dan Wuori

442,816 views • 3 years ago

Thobani Shezi tops South Africa in South African Sign Language Thobani Shezi, a matriculant from KwaThintwa School for the Deaf in KwaZulu-Natal, says his academic success is the result of resilience, self-belief and the unwavering support of his teachers. Placed first nationally in South African Sign Language, Shezi reflects on the many challenges he faced as a deaf learner, including limited access to interpreters and learning in a language that is not English. Despite these barriers, he pushed himself to excel, motivated by a desire to change the future for other deaf learners. He credits his teachers for instilling confidence and discipline, and says his dream is to become an educator for deaf children so that those who come after him can have better opportunities than he did.

Thobani Shezi tops South Africa in South African Sign Language Thobani Shezi, a matriculant from KwaThintwa School for the Deaf in KwaZulu-Natal, says his academic success is the result of resilience, self-belief and the unwavering support of his teachers. Placed first nationally in South African Sign Language, Shezi reflects on the many challenges he faced as a deaf learner, including limited access to interpreters and learning in a language that is not English. Despite these barriers, he pushed himself to excel, motivated by a desire to change the future for other deaf learners. He credits his teachers for instilling confidence and discipline, and says his dream is to become an educator for deaf children so that those who come after him can have better opportunities than he did.

MDN NEWS

76,500 views • 6 months ago

Thinking of learning another language, how about British Sign Language? Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms visited Frank Barnes School for Deaf Children who teach both BSL and English to ensure students are equipped with the skills to thrive #IWDP #IDSL

Thinking of learning another language, how about British Sign Language? Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms visited Frank Barnes School for Deaf Children who teach both BSL and English to ensure students are equipped with the skills to thrive #IWDP #IDSL

Department for Work and Pensions

10,891 views • 1 year ago

The Irish Sign Language Toy Show team have been rehearsing ahead of tomorrow night's show. Deaf Interpreters Sarah-Jane O'Regan and Jason Maguire are all set to provide the access to the show that they wish they had as children #LateLateToyShow

The Irish Sign Language Toy Show team have been rehearsing ahead of tomorrow night's show. Deaf Interpreters Sarah-Jane O'Regan and Jason Maguire are all set to provide the access to the show that they wish they had as children #LateLateToyShow

RTÉ News

33,125 views • 1 year ago

How does the presence of older siblings influence the development of language? This lovely video brought my mind immediately to research on the topic. There is some consensus that the presence of one or more siblings can correlate with slightly slower* language development among children who are not first born. This is because parents juggling the demands of multiple children generally have less time for one-on-one interaction. But research suggests that this the presence of a “cognitively sensitive” sibling can mitigate against such delays. What is “cognitively sensitive?” It’s this little guy. Notice how he not only takes time out to deliberately expose his newborn sister to language and vocabulary, but makes an effort to slow and simplify his language in recognition that he’s speaking with a baby. He shows the photos. He points (as he’s able) to match vocabulary with what’s on display. It’s like having a third, mini-parent. What a fantastic little teacher. *By the way, the delayed language often displayed by younger siblings is not anything to get too worked up about. Might they develop a little slower? In some cases yes. But do they catch up and close this gap? Also yes. In the long run, there’s also plenty of reason to believe that the presence of siblings can be advantageous. Though subsequent siblings may receive slightly less one-on-one time, they are often exposed to richer and more varied language due to the presence of older children in the home. What was your experience? This loving brother-sister pair was shared to IG by halesmoore.

How does the presence of older siblings influence the development of language? This lovely video brought my mind immediately to research on the topic. There is some consensus that the presence of one or more siblings can correlate with slightly slower* language development among children who are not first born. This is because parents juggling the demands of multiple children generally have less time for one-on-one interaction. But research suggests that this the presence of a “cognitively sensitive” sibling can mitigate against such delays. What is “cognitively sensitive?” It’s this little guy. Notice how he not only takes time out to deliberately expose his newborn sister to language and vocabulary, but makes an effort to slow and simplify his language in recognition that he’s speaking with a baby. He shows the photos. He points (as he’s able) to match vocabulary with what’s on display. It’s like having a third, mini-parent. What a fantastic little teacher. *By the way, the delayed language often displayed by younger siblings is not anything to get too worked up about. Might they develop a little slower? In some cases yes. But do they catch up and close this gap? Also yes. In the long run, there’s also plenty of reason to believe that the presence of siblings can be advantageous. Though subsequent siblings may receive slightly less one-on-one time, they are often exposed to richer and more varied language due to the presence of older children in the home. What was your experience? This loving brother-sister pair was shared to IG by halesmoore.

Dan Wuori

418,388 views • 2 years ago

Deaf President Now is more than a film—it’s the story of the greatest civil rights movement most people have never heard of. This story has been passed down in the Deaf community for decades — shared through sign language. Now, we’re bringing it to the world on Apple TV.

Deaf President Now is more than a film—it’s the story of the greatest civil rights movement most people have never heard of. This story has been passed down in the Deaf community for decades — shared through sign language. Now, we’re bringing it to the world on Apple TV.

Nyle DiMarco

21,681 views • 1 year ago

The government says that British Sign Language will be taught as a GCSE in England from September 2025. Parents, teachers and the deaf and hearing communities have taken part in a 12 week consultation to decide on the content of the qualification.

The government says that British Sign Language will be taught as a GCSE in England from September 2025. Parents, teachers and the deaf and hearing communities have taken part in a 12 week consultation to decide on the content of the qualification.

Good Morning Britain

89,898 views • 2 years ago

🚨 Deaf Journalist Highlights Gaza’s Forgotten Voices : Deaf journalist Mahmoud Abu Namous documents Gaza’s genocide using sign language to ensure the deaf community, especially those in Gaza, remain informed. He highlights the tragic story of his deaf friend Islam, whose family was targeted while buying bread, and questions the absence of human rights protection for Gaza’s disabled community.

🚨 Deaf Journalist Highlights Gaza’s Forgotten Voices : Deaf journalist Mahmoud Abu Namous documents Gaza’s genocide using sign language to ensure the deaf community, especially those in Gaza, remain informed. He highlights the tragic story of his deaf friend Islam, whose family was targeted while buying bread, and questions the absence of human rights protection for Gaza’s disabled community.

Gaza Notifications

33,950 views • 1 year ago

Michael Jackson uses sign language to talk to his pet Chimpanzee. In the video below, he ordered Bubbles to sit down, as he was distracting Michael Jackson. It's really mindblowing how Michael Jackson still had the time to learn sign language, despite his extremely busy routines and calender. This shows how much Michael Jackson was a workaholic and someone who will always see anything through, as long as it's what he really wants.

Michael Jackson uses sign language to talk to his pet Chimpanzee. In the video below, he ordered Bubbles to sit down, as he was distracting Michael Jackson. It's really mindblowing how Michael Jackson still had the time to learn sign language, despite his extremely busy routines and calender. This shows how much Michael Jackson was a workaholic and someone who will always see anything through, as long as it's what he really wants.

Vincent The Therapist

782,266 views • 3 months ago

“That’s not nice. That’s not good…” Let’s talk about the role of language in shaping our thinking. We often think of language development in terms of a child’s ability to communicate with others. But it also plays a transformative role in cognition, helping us to communicate with ourselves and regulate our emotions. In time, language shapes not only what we know and say, but how we think and feel. During the years of early childhood, the acquisition of language revolutionizes young children’s approach to the world. They go from being unable to express their needs and feelings (a frustration that leads to things like crying to biting), to using language to process, communicate and regulate their behavior/emotions. And what a lovely example we have here. Marleigh’s dog Zoey has ripped apart (“eaten”) her stuffed Mickey Mouse toy. Watch how she (with some adult support) uses language to process her frustration and confront the dog. The developing 🧠 at work. Have you seen your child use language to help regulate their feelings (of frustration or otherwise)? 🎥 theyeetbaby IG (which is a great follow)

“That’s not nice. That’s not good…” Let’s talk about the role of language in shaping our thinking. We often think of language development in terms of a child’s ability to communicate with others. But it also plays a transformative role in cognition, helping us to communicate with ourselves and regulate our emotions. In time, language shapes not only what we know and say, but how we think and feel. During the years of early childhood, the acquisition of language revolutionizes young children’s approach to the world. They go from being unable to express their needs and feelings (a frustration that leads to things like crying to biting), to using language to process, communicate and regulate their behavior/emotions. And what a lovely example we have here. Marleigh’s dog Zoey has ripped apart (“eaten”) her stuffed Mickey Mouse toy. Watch how she (with some adult support) uses language to process her frustration and confront the dog. The developing 🧠 at work. Have you seen your child use language to help regulate their feelings (of frustration or otherwise)? 🎥 theyeetbaby IG (which is a great follow)

Dan Wuori

251,280 views • 3 years ago

Sign language is the language of the heart here; a spontaneous moment where a child asks her father for ice cream using simple signs that he understands with his heart before his eyes. Small details documenting the pulse of hope and the determination to live in Gaza.

Sign language is the language of the heart here; a spontaneous moment where a child asks her father for ice cream using simple signs that he understands with his heart before his eyes. Small details documenting the pulse of hope and the determination to live in Gaza.

Eye on Palestine

10,748 views • 1 month ago

A sign of how much we care 👐🧡 Have a watch of this amazing video 📽️ to see how firefighters in #Newcastle have been learning sign language to use in an emergency. This is an extract from a film produced by incredible deaf pupils from Broadwood School and @JesmondPark HIARPs.

A sign of how much we care 👐🧡 Have a watch of this amazing video 📽️ to see how firefighters in #Newcastle have been learning sign language to use in an emergency. This is an extract from a film produced by incredible deaf pupils from Broadwood School and @JesmondPark HIARPs.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service

11,535 views • 3 years ago

Language has its own special genres. And your toddler is working to master them all. Yesterday I shared a fantastic video example of a toddler engaged in a pretend phone call. He took conversational turns, laughed at his imaginary partner’s joke, and knew to end the call with a goodbye and pressing the “end call” button on his toy telephone. At less than 2 years old, he had the phone call genre down pat. Today here’s another amazing example: the bedtime story. Watch as this little one takes over “reading” duties - turning the tables on her adoring dad. I’ve shared lots of reading videos before, but this one is notable in its complexity. Listen as she uses variegated babbling (remember this from two weeks ago… it’s babbling that combines a wide variety of syllables and sounds) to recount a lengthy story for dad. Listen as well to the tone and rhythm of her voice. It’s the same soft, flowy, and expressive style he uses to help calm her as she begins preparing to drift off to sleep post story. I’d say this little one has the “bedtime story” genre on lock. Isn’t it amazing to see how children concurrently learn not just language, but the different contexts and styles of its use? Just fantastic. This amazing little storyteller was shared to IG by walking_faith_4u.

Language has its own special genres. And your toddler is working to master them all. Yesterday I shared a fantastic video example of a toddler engaged in a pretend phone call. He took conversational turns, laughed at his imaginary partner’s joke, and knew to end the call with a goodbye and pressing the “end call” button on his toy telephone. At less than 2 years old, he had the phone call genre down pat. Today here’s another amazing example: the bedtime story. Watch as this little one takes over “reading” duties - turning the tables on her adoring dad. I’ve shared lots of reading videos before, but this one is notable in its complexity. Listen as she uses variegated babbling (remember this from two weeks ago… it’s babbling that combines a wide variety of syllables and sounds) to recount a lengthy story for dad. Listen as well to the tone and rhythm of her voice. It’s the same soft, flowy, and expressive style he uses to help calm her as she begins preparing to drift off to sleep post story. I’d say this little one has the “bedtime story” genre on lock. Isn’t it amazing to see how children concurrently learn not just language, but the different contexts and styles of its use? Just fantastic. This amazing little storyteller was shared to IG by walking_faith_4u.

Dan Wuori

53,783 views • 1 year ago

What can these five babies teach us about language development? This week I’ve been exploring the stages of infant language acquisition. And today, I’ve done something special: curated a compilation of five videos tracing the progression of infant vocalizations over time. As you watch, note that each new clip represents a step forward in expressive language (and, obviously, age). So let’s meet our five babies! 1) Baby Number One, shared to TT by natashatenen, illustrates a concept I first introduced yesterday: Cooing. Note that her happy vocalizations are mostly extended vowel sounds. One of the first sounds babies make other than crying, cooing typically begins between 6 weeks and 3 months. 2) Now let’s meet Baby Number Two (shared to TT by putdewyy). He’s not far past the cooing stage… lots of vowel sounds are on display here…but he’s starting to make the transition to babbling. Notice how his vowel sounds are now supplemented by some initial consonants. He adds some “buh” and “bah” sounds. Babbling typically begins with single syllables (often buh, muh, and/or duh) between 4-6 months. It’s a subtle but important step forward. 3) You’ll notice that Baby Number Three’s speech is marked by a real qualitative upgrade in terms of both clarity and content. This little one, shared to TT by Vanessa.Fiorella, is demonstrating what is known as canonical babbling - which involves the repetition of a single syllable. While Baby Two managed a “bah” sound, Baby Three is firing them off in rapid succession: “bah-bah-bah-bah.” Canonical babbling often begins around 6-7 months. 4) Baby Number Four takes the complexity up a notch further. What you see in this video (shared to TT by sofiaandsofie1) is called variegated babbling - which combines multiple different syllable combinations. (“Duh-dah-di-di-di-dah”) Do you notice how variegated babbling is starting to resemble conventional/adult speech more and more? It’s commonly exhibited around 10-12 moths. 5) And then, just for the fun of it, I’ve included Baby Number 5 - who became a viral sensation last winter for the amazing complexity of his variegated babbling. The video, shared to TT by Xxbur5, shows a little guy with a cold diaper and a linguistic capacity that - only months after first babbling - has progressed exponentially and will soon make way for his first words. Isn’t it amazing to trace this progression? Grateful to all these creators for capturing videos so we can all learn from them together. Hope you enjoyed this language development super cut!

What can these five babies teach us about language development? This week I’ve been exploring the stages of infant language acquisition. And today, I’ve done something special: curated a compilation of five videos tracing the progression of infant vocalizations over time. As you watch, note that each new clip represents a step forward in expressive language (and, obviously, age). So let’s meet our five babies! 1) Baby Number One, shared to TT by natashatenen, illustrates a concept I first introduced yesterday: Cooing. Note that her happy vocalizations are mostly extended vowel sounds. One of the first sounds babies make other than crying, cooing typically begins between 6 weeks and 3 months. 2) Now let’s meet Baby Number Two (shared to TT by putdewyy). He’s not far past the cooing stage… lots of vowel sounds are on display here…but he’s starting to make the transition to babbling. Notice how his vowel sounds are now supplemented by some initial consonants. He adds some “buh” and “bah” sounds. Babbling typically begins with single syllables (often buh, muh, and/or duh) between 4-6 months. It’s a subtle but important step forward. 3) You’ll notice that Baby Number Three’s speech is marked by a real qualitative upgrade in terms of both clarity and content. This little one, shared to TT by Vanessa.Fiorella, is demonstrating what is known as canonical babbling - which involves the repetition of a single syllable. While Baby Two managed a “bah” sound, Baby Three is firing them off in rapid succession: “bah-bah-bah-bah.” Canonical babbling often begins around 6-7 months. 4) Baby Number Four takes the complexity up a notch further. What you see in this video (shared to TT by sofiaandsofie1) is called variegated babbling - which combines multiple different syllable combinations. (“Duh-dah-di-di-di-dah”) Do you notice how variegated babbling is starting to resemble conventional/adult speech more and more? It’s commonly exhibited around 10-12 moths. 5) And then, just for the fun of it, I’ve included Baby Number 5 - who became a viral sensation last winter for the amazing complexity of his variegated babbling. The video, shared to TT by Xxbur5, shows a little guy with a cold diaper and a linguistic capacity that - only months after first babbling - has progressed exponentially and will soon make way for his first words. Isn’t it amazing to trace this progression? Grateful to all these creators for capturing videos so we can all learn from them together. Hope you enjoyed this language development super cut!

Dan Wuori

123,945 views • 1 year ago

Your baby begins to understand the language you use even before they can replicate it. That’s because language learning occurs along two interconnected pathways. Receptive language - which develops earliest - is the ability to comprehend (incoming) language, while expressive language (outgoing) relates to a child’s ability to communicate his/her thoughts. One important thing for parents to note about receptive language is this: Children are always listening and learning. Even before you might think they are. So choose the language they are exposed to (both in person and via media) very carefully, never assuming they’re too little for it to matter. Remember too that the things you say to - and about - your child will eventually become the things they say to/about themselves. This mom (lei.plummer on IG) knows the way. Loving her sweet affirmation and her son’s adorable reaction.

Your baby begins to understand the language you use even before they can replicate it. That’s because language learning occurs along two interconnected pathways. Receptive language - which develops earliest - is the ability to comprehend (incoming) language, while expressive language (outgoing) relates to a child’s ability to communicate his/her thoughts. One important thing for parents to note about receptive language is this: Children are always listening and learning. Even before you might think they are. So choose the language they are exposed to (both in person and via media) very carefully, never assuming they’re too little for it to matter. Remember too that the things you say to - and about - your child will eventually become the things they say to/about themselves. This mom (lei.plummer on IG) knows the way. Loving her sweet affirmation and her son’s adorable reaction.

Dan Wuori

52,525 views • 1 year ago

From 0 to 60 in X seconds… For years that’s been one of the benchmarks used by auto manufacturers to describe the rapid acceleration of the world’s most powerful cars. It’s also a perfect metaphor to wrap up two weeks of posts focused on the language acquisition of young children. Babies enter the world with cries and gurgles… advance rapidly to complex forms of babbling, and generally speak their first words within a year. Their vocabularies growing exponentially, they begin stringing simple sentences together shortly thereafter and by two years of age, become surprisingly powerful little communicators. From 0 to 60 in just a little more than 24 months. It’s really amazing to witness. I began this series with video of a baby’s first sounds, captured in a hospital maternity ward. So what better way to conclude it than with an example of the end result? I got such a kick out of listening to this little one, age two, discussing her exasperation over the family dog’s need to bark at… well, everything. Check out not only her complex vocabulary and grammar, but her expression and tone… The way her personality is exposed through her vocalizations. Listening to her it’s hard to imagine that roughly 18 months prior she’d not yet spoken a single conventional word. Talk about acceleration! 🏎️ Of course this isn’t truly the end point for language development. Her vocabulary will continue to grow throughout her lifetime, for example… but the foundations of her lifelong success have been laid… transforming not only her ability to communicate but the very ways she is able to think. Language is arguably humankind’s most powerful tool. And it’s mastered rapidly by its most efficient and precocious little learners. This fantastic video was shared to IG by harperraeels.

From 0 to 60 in X seconds… For years that’s been one of the benchmarks used by auto manufacturers to describe the rapid acceleration of the world’s most powerful cars. It’s also a perfect metaphor to wrap up two weeks of posts focused on the language acquisition of young children. Babies enter the world with cries and gurgles… advance rapidly to complex forms of babbling, and generally speak their first words within a year. Their vocabularies growing exponentially, they begin stringing simple sentences together shortly thereafter and by two years of age, become surprisingly powerful little communicators. From 0 to 60 in just a little more than 24 months. It’s really amazing to witness. I began this series with video of a baby’s first sounds, captured in a hospital maternity ward. So what better way to conclude it than with an example of the end result? I got such a kick out of listening to this little one, age two, discussing her exasperation over the family dog’s need to bark at… well, everything. Check out not only her complex vocabulary and grammar, but her expression and tone… The way her personality is exposed through her vocalizations. Listening to her it’s hard to imagine that roughly 18 months prior she’d not yet spoken a single conventional word. Talk about acceleration! 🏎️ Of course this isn’t truly the end point for language development. Her vocabulary will continue to grow throughout her lifetime, for example… but the foundations of her lifelong success have been laid… transforming not only her ability to communicate but the very ways she is able to think. Language is arguably humankind’s most powerful tool. And it’s mastered rapidly by its most efficient and precocious little learners. This fantastic video was shared to IG by harperraeels.

Dan Wuori

101,413 views • 1 year ago

Your baby understands language well before they can use it. Watch the reaction of these sweet toddler twins as their mother breaks into song. It’s not just that mom is singing. They seem to be lighting up in anticipation of its chorus: I LOVE YOU. Watch the little one on the right - whose eyebrows raise in anticipation of this loving message from their mother. It’s a fantastic reminder that receptive language (what we can hear and understand) precedes expressive language (what we can verbalize). And an important reminder not to forget that children understand the language spoken around them well before they can verbalize it themselves. The best rule of thumb: never assume your child is “too young to understand.” This sweet duo was shared to IG by babyjoyreels.

Your baby understands language well before they can use it. Watch the reaction of these sweet toddler twins as their mother breaks into song. It’s not just that mom is singing. They seem to be lighting up in anticipation of its chorus: I LOVE YOU. Watch the little one on the right - whose eyebrows raise in anticipation of this loving message from their mother. It’s a fantastic reminder that receptive language (what we can hear and understand) precedes expressive language (what we can verbalize). And an important reminder not to forget that children understand the language spoken around them well before they can verbalize it themselves. The best rule of thumb: never assume your child is “too young to understand.” This sweet duo was shared to IG by babyjoyreels.

Dan Wuori

48,036 views • 1 year ago

Language has its own special genres. And your toddler is working to master them all. Not long ago, I shared a fantastic video example of a toddler engaged in a pretend phone call. He took conversational turns, laughed at his imaginary partner’s joke, and knew to end the call with a goodbye and pressing the “end call” button on his toy telephone. At less than 2 years old, he had the phone call genre down pat. Here’s another amazing example (shared to IG by walking_faith_4u): the bedtime story. Watch as this little one takes over “reading” duties - turning the tables on her adoring dad. I’ve shared lots of reading videos before, but this one is notable in its complexity. Listen as she uses variegated babbling (which combines a wide variety of syllables and sounds) to recount a lengthy story for dad. Listen as well to the tone and rhythm of her voice. It’s the same soft, flowy, and expressive style he uses to help calm her as she begins preparing to drift off to sleep post story. I’d say this little one has the “bedtime story” genre on lock. Isn’t it amazing to see how children concurrently learn not just language, but the different contexts and styles of its use? Just fantastic.

Language has its own special genres. And your toddler is working to master them all. Not long ago, I shared a fantastic video example of a toddler engaged in a pretend phone call. He took conversational turns, laughed at his imaginary partner’s joke, and knew to end the call with a goodbye and pressing the “end call” button on his toy telephone. At less than 2 years old, he had the phone call genre down pat. Here’s another amazing example (shared to IG by walking_faith_4u): the bedtime story. Watch as this little one takes over “reading” duties - turning the tables on her adoring dad. I’ve shared lots of reading videos before, but this one is notable in its complexity. Listen as she uses variegated babbling (which combines a wide variety of syllables and sounds) to recount a lengthy story for dad. Listen as well to the tone and rhythm of her voice. It’s the same soft, flowy, and expressive style he uses to help calm her as she begins preparing to drift off to sleep post story. I’d say this little one has the “bedtime story” genre on lock. Isn’t it amazing to see how children concurrently learn not just language, but the different contexts and styles of its use? Just fantastic.

Dan Wuori

83,920 views • 1 year ago