If you have a child at home, you will notice how they mimic sounds and words they hear around them. Children are prone to picking up whatever they hear repeatedly and finally being able to utter coherent words with practice.
It is your responsibility to encourage their speaking through playful imitation. Admittedly, imitation might sound like an unserious and playful way of flattery. Still, several professionals scientifically rely on it to aid in the social skill development of language over time.
Therefore, it is advisable for your parents to engage in a fair amount of imitation play during the day to improve the auditory and brain functions and enhance the learning process by making it easier to grasp as infants.
Why is imitation important for babies?
Experiments discovered that the first evidence showing a critical aspect of brain processing in babies is to allow for this learning by sight. Before they can name those bodily parts through language, the connection between their visual and tactile movements happens hand to hand and foot to foot.
Imitation skills are essential for motor and linguistic growth and social skill development. Imitation includes coordinating actions with those of another person, and it is an integral part of early interpersonal relationships.
Over time, your infant begins associating their gesticulations with yours and learning to mimic you, which in return aids them.
Do babies like when you copy them?
It might not seem very pleasant for your child to be constantly repeating what you say, but doing the opposite is actually quite enjoyable for your child. In fact, it is scientifically proven.
Researchers have found that imitation opens up new ways for your baby to get an easier grip on social skill development. It is also stated that imitation by parents of infants creates an interesting bond between them which is quite desirable.
Moreover, imitation allows babies to enunciate words better and provide an avenue for them to repeat words until they are satisfied, which is crucial to language development.
How Imitation aids social skill development?
Many people believe that imitation skills develop after a child starts to speak, but this is not true! It occurs much sooner and in a variety of methods. Babies learn to mimic what they perceive and hear even before they can speak.
They begin by imitating your body language and movements, progressing to noises and words as they age. Then, they imitate you when you copy them. It’s an essential component of their language development and helps lay the groundwork for social skill development, intellectual growth, and more.
Takeaways
The evolution of language and speech includes the big step of word imitation, and it might take some time for your kid to start mimicking words. To ensure that your child is prepared for the following expected skill, give them enough time at each stage.
Additionally, since practicing with your child entails singing, playing, and generally being silly, ideally, you’ll enjoy yourself as well.