This Powerful Activity Can Change Your Child’s Brain

Article Summary:

Back-and-forth conversations have a significant impact on language development and are important for social, emotional, and cognitive development. Research shows that talking with children can change their brain. Conversation appears to account for significant differences in children’s brain physiology and their language and verbal skills, regardless of parental income or education level. 

Talk is powerful, but what’s even more powerful is engaging a child in meaningful interactions—the ‘give and take’ that is so important to the social, emotional and cognitive development of infants and toddlers

-Dr. Jill Gilkerson, language research director at LENA Foundation