Parents need to be told to talk to their baby
Karen Faux
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
A research project carried out by Talk to Your Baby reveals that some parents feel silly or embarrassed talking to their babies, while many believe that communication is something that will happen of its own accord.
The study, 'Face to Face', identifies key messages which can be given toparents to encourage them to interact with infants.
Part of the research targeted parents from lower income grades,non-professional households and those dependent on welfare. The sampleincluded teen parents, single parents and estranged fathers.
Feedback suggested that some parents do not recognise the importance ofcommunication and may prioritise chores over baby contact time. Manywere unaware of their baby's rapid brain development from birth and didnot seek out information about how to develop communication.
However, the study's participants found that positive messages abouttheir child's capacity for learning and development were helpful andparents were keen to act on practical advice.
Liz Attenborough, manager of Talk to Your Baby, said, 'It is clear thatparents are hungry for information on what their babies can do frombirth, and if given information about early communication, they canincorporate it into their early life.
'Face to Face highlights the importance of giving parents practicaladvice in an appropriate way, which avoids creating anxiety. Theresearch will contribute to the strategy for 2011's National Year ofSpeech, Language and Communication, as well as future Talk to Your Babywork.'
FURTHER INFORMATION
Talk to Your Baby is a campaign run by the National Literacy Trust
(www.talktoyourbaby.org.uk). Read more athttp://blog.nurseryworld.co.uk/2010/10/19/talk-to-your-parents
