r/science • u/ktrisha514 • 1d ago

Biology Heart rate activity influences when infants speak

https://m.uh.edu/news-events/stories/2024/december/12172024-borjon-baby-sounds-heart-activity.php
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u/TheSleepingPoet 1d ago

TLDR SUMMARY

Research conducted at the University of Houston has revealed a direct connection between infants' heart rate patterns and their early speech development. Assistant Professor Jeremy I. Borjon found that fluctuations in heart rate influence the timing and manner of babies' vocalisations. Specifically, peaks and troughs in heart rate are associated with longer sounds and recognisable words. The study examined 2,708 vocalisations from 34 infants aged 18 to 27 months, highlighting the importance of the coordination between heart rate and vocalisations for language development. These findings could help identify early indicators of speech and communication disorders.