To reinforce language development when talking to babies, these researchers remind parents to be conscious of how they talk: speak at a slow pace and repeat words  to optimize understanding.

Talking to babies is critical. It makes sense that talking to them will help their language development later on. But this research shows it also strengthens their cognitive development such as abilities to organize and classify objects.

Researchers around the world will be able to share genome data on over 10,000 families with autism across the globe.

https://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/online-portal-lets-scientists-worldwide-explore-and-share-dna-clues-autism

Communicating language is really nothing more than sounds coming from the mouth, right? But those sounds have meaning! And different languages have different sound patterns. This study showed that by 18 months children understand the  basic sound system of their native language.   http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071001172817.htm

When a young child is learning two languages at once, should parents be concerned about th child’s vocabulary levels in either language.

Read more from science daily: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/08/150817110635.htm

Verbs can be more difficult for children to learn, as opposed to objects, because  an action can vary widely from one situation to the next. How can parents help? Read more: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140416101621.htm

In the following article from the Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research, studies on gestures and language (both symbols of communication) suggest a link between delayed use of gestures and difficulties in receptive language which may indicate a struggle to understand symbols in general.

The Cognition, Action, and Psychophysiology Lab (C.A.P. Lab) at UConn’s Waterbury campus studies brain-behavior relations.  Check out how researchers at Northwestern University are using similar techniques – analyzing the brain wave data of preschoolers – to predict which children may later face reading challenges.

In honor of Father’s Day, this research post includes an article that discusses the impact of father involvement on children’s development.  Learn more about fathers and the important role they play in the lives of their children.

Recent research has found evidence that motor development and cognitive development are closely related and should be studied together.  Find out more about how “early motor skills may affect language development.”