It’s no secret that parents are starting their kids on the path to learning earlier these days. Before my son was born, my husband and I made a decision to avoid the cutesy baby talk. Taking our cues from the latest research at the time, we decided the best way to develop his communication skills was to actually communicate with him.

We used to get some funny stares, when for example we were at the bank, and we would point at signs and read them to him. And this was only shortly after he had said his first word. I can remember my husband telling me once about reading a short sign to our son, and his friend who was nearby saying, ‘You know he can’t understand you, right?’

Unfortunately many people share this attitude. They somehow fail to realize the enormous potential of a young brain. The end result of our efforts is a child with a vocabulary far beyond his years. We don’t use what some people would call ‘big words’ when speaking to him. But he has developed an innate curiosity about words, and the way they are used. When he hears a new word he always asks what it means. And for the most part he remembers and uses them correctly. He even grasps contextual meanings pretty quickly.

I am not by any means saying he is a genius. But clearly, babies can reap enormous benefits from parents who speak to them instead of just making funny sounds. This is one case where child development experts are clearly right. Let’s face it, when you look into those precious eyes, it’s easy to just lose yourself, and start making any sound that will win a smile. Just also keep in mind that they need more from you.

So what’s your take on baby talk?