Dear Abby

Dear Abby

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Dear Abby Asked by Dear Abby
8/18/2020

Is it OK to "baby talk" to a child?

43%
Yes

10

57%
No WINNER

9

43%
Yes

10 Comments
Fozzie Bear
0
Fozzie Bear

Up to a certain age. By 3 or 4, adults should be speaking like adults so the child will learn that. I think continuing past that point could even harm the child psychologically.

Reply
Valarie Stauffer
0
Valarie Stauffer

To a degree. O did a bit 30 some years ago. Nothing extreme.

Reply
Lee Miller
0
Lee Miller

If they are very young. Motherese helps language, doesn't hinder.

Reply
Phyllis Burk
0
Phyllis Burk

Of course. They don't actually understand the words but they love the tone. They will pick up the language as they grow olderf.

Reply
Grace Davies
0
Grace Davies

Baby talk as in baby tones and sing song voices is fine. Just use the correct words.

Reply
Barry Rashford
0
Barry Rashford

Sometimes it helps to get to the child's level

Reply
Deborah J Kyle
0
Deborah J Kyle

This all depends on the age of the child.

Reply
Graddy 8
0
Graddy 8

Depends on the age but overall why not?

Reply
James Mollohan Sr.
0
James Mollohan Sr.

Yes it's perfectly normal, they are children, so let them be children, don't expect too much out of children, it takes away from their childhood

Reply
Linda Jeffcoat Amick
0
Linda Jeffcoat Amick

Only when they are infants.

Reply

57%
No

9 Comments
Laughing N. Learning
1
Laughing N. Learning

They are not babies. Even babies don't mean to speak gibberish so why lower your IQ to such a ignorant level?

Reply
Mar Weski
0
Mar Weski

I believe it makes it more difficult for them to learn to talk.

Reply
Laura Darnell
0
Laura Darnell

I don't care if others do, but I am unable to use baby talk with a child.

Reply
H R Gesell
0
H R Gesell

How are they going to learn the words and the language otherwise? I can still play with them without the baby talk

Reply
Valerie Taylor
0
Valerie Taylor

Define baby talk. Using simple words in a higher-pitched voice is fine. Mispronouncing words, echoing back to them their own mispronunciations, using "Mommy" instead of "I", all bad practices.

Reply
jeanne coimbra
0
jeanne coimbra

Child will talk baby talk

Reply
Wendy Adrianson
0
Wendy Adrianson

Babies learn what they hear. If you talk baby talk, that is how they will talk. It's easier to learn it right to start than to relearn how to speak.

Reply
Carolyn Hess Hammons
0
Carolyn Hess Hammons

I think it undermines their confidence

Reply
Carl Evans
0
Carl Evans

Goo. Gaga. Giggle. Giggle.

Reply
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